The Higher Education Authority (HEA) in Zambia partnered with the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) to host a recent capacity-building workshop focused on establishing Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) systems in higher education institutions. Dr Jako Olivier, Adviser: Higher Education, COL, observes that the Higher Education initiative of COL is tasked with supporting national and institutional quality assurance systems as outlined in the current COL Strategic Plan, and this workshop aligns with this purpose.
The workshop was also aligned with the HEA’s mandate, as it is a statutory body established under the Higher Education Act No. 4 of 2013, with a primary mandate to regulate and monitor standards in the higher education sector. Its core responsibilities include promoting quality education within higher education institutions (HEIs) across Zambia by establishing standards, registering private institutions, and advising the Minister of Education regarding policy and development in higher education.
The workshop took place from 5 – 6 June 2025, at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. It attracted representatives from 37 HEIs nationwide. The HEA Director General, Professor Kazhila Chinsembu, opened the workshop, and the Director of Quality Assurance, Dr Martin Mushumba, provided the closing remarks.
In his opening address, Professor Chinsembu thanked COL for its support in facilitating this timely workshop. He emphasised that the workshop was critical for equipping quality assurance professionals in universities and colleges with essential new skills and competencies. Professor Chinsembu also highlighted the workshop’s significance in aligning with HEA’s call for higher education institutions to implement innovative reforms in areas such as curriculum development, teaching methods, learning approaches, and assessment practices. Furthermore, he urged higher education institutions to continue actively pursuing knowledge entrepreneurship, encouraging the conversion of academic knowledge into practical innovations, products, services, and intellectual property within the higher education context.
The primary objective of this workshop was to enhance institutional capacities for developing robust internal quality assurance frameworks. Specifically, the workshop aimed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills for creating and sustaining effective IQA systems, facilitating the sharing of best practices among institutions, and fostering a culture dedicated to continuous improvement in higher education.
The workshop was facilitated by a consultant from COL, who addressed key IQA components, including institutional self-evaluation, research activities, student support services, assessment practices, feedback mechanisms, and data collection and analysis for quality assurance.
According to Dr Olivier, the workshop’s aims were closely aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Additionally, it supports COL’s mission to assist governments, institutions, and organisations in enhancing the quality of learning through appropriate open, distance, and technology-based approaches.
