THE INTER-UNIVERSITY COUNCIL FOR EAST AFRICA (IUCEA) OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES THE EAST AFRICA COMMUNITY-STUDENT MOBILITY SCHEME (EAC-SMS)

BY VICTORIA MOVINE

The Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) has today officially launched the East Africa Community-Student Mobility Scheme (EAC-SMS) consultative programme at the Sarova Panafric hotel, Nairobi.

The meeting was purposed to engage IUCEA members in the IUCEA initiatives and the development and the transformation of EAC higher education for a successful integration through increased university exchange and mobility of students and staff.
Executive Secretary, IUCEA Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, addressing member states of IUCEA at Sarova Panafric hotel Nairobi.

According to Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary IUCEA, the  East Africa Community Scholarship Programme now know EAC-SMS programme was proposed  and approved in 2022 and has several benefits which include: fast track implementation of the EAC Common Higher Education Area as institutions are expected to operationalize mutual recognition of qualifications, credit accumulation and transfer.

The programme also boosts internationalization of the  member universities, reviving more mobility of students in the region, supporting EAC Partner States to address key human resource deficiencies, providing an opportunity to benchmark against each other and ultimately improve the quality of our academic and professional programs and  contribute to a key pillar of regional integration, known as the Common Market Protocol as graduates of the programs will be able to move their skills from one partner state to another.

In his remarks, Prof.Banyankimbona said, “Vice-Chancellors and other stakeholders present at the Nairobi meeting in 2022  commended the initiative, committed to support it and recommended it for submission to the IUCEA Governing Board for approval on its way towards implementation.”
Member states present during the EAC-SMS at Sarova Panafric hotel Nairobi.

Prof.Banyankimbona added that the EAC Student Mobility Scheme is a way to demonstrate the self-sustainability of students students mobility in the region.

“This EAC Student Mobility Scheme is meant to be our indigenous student exchange, inter-University and Inter EAC Partner States programme. It is one of the ways to demonstrate the self-sustainability of  students mobility  in the region which will enhance our credibility towards to  the EAC community.” Stated Prof. Banyankimbona.

The two-day event aimed at enhancing the understanding of the EAC-SMS among the participating institutions, discussing and agreeing on  appropriate approach to  operationalize the EAC-SMS, enhancing EAC-SMS implementation guidelines that are agreed upon by all parties and to revise and agree on  the call for applications.  

Prof. Banyankimbona further noted that IUCEA, has pledged to offer all the support it takes to actualize this initiative. He also acknowledge the Governments of the EAC Partner States and the member Universities for their continued financial and enabling political support to IUCEA in discharging its regional mandate and functions for the EAC integration agenda. 








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