Kinshasa, July 29, 2025 – The 16th Annual Meeting and Conference of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) officially commenced today, with H.E. Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Planning and Coordination of Development Aid of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), serving as the chief guest. The conference, held at the Fleuve Congo Hotel, will run from July 29 to 31, 2025. This year’s theme, “Reflections on Global Education Trends and their Implications on the EAC Higher Education Landscape,” has brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and academics from across the East African Community (EAC) and beyond.

This event marks a historic milestone for the DRC, one of the newest members of the EAC, as it hosts this prestigious gathering for the first time. The conference underscores the DRC’s commitment to regional integration and its ambition to contribute to the global knowledge economy.

Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary, IUCEA, remarked:

“Over the years, many factors have continued to shape education, particularly higher education. From the liberalization and massification of higher education to the shift toward STEM, the emergence of AI and digital learning, and the concept of universities without walls, these trends have significantly impacted the outlook, preparedness, and delivery of education. This theme provides us with an opportunity to deliberate as a region on how global education trends are influencing the higher education landscape.”

H.E. Veronica M. Nduva, Secretary General of the East African Community, said:

“I am pleased to note, Your Excellency, that IUCEA has already established a significant presence in the DRC, with over 10 member universities contributing to its growing network of nearly 170 higher learning institutions across the region. This is a clear sign of the DRC’s rapid and meaningful integration into the EAC education landscape since its formal admission on March 29, 2022, during the 19th Extra-Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State, chaired by H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, then President of Kenya. The DRC’s swift onboarding is a commendable achievement for both IUCEA and the DRC Government.”

H.E. Didier Mazenga Mukanzu, Minister of Regional Integration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo said all Partner States must work towards the restoration of peace and security.

“The organization of this meeting in Kinshasa not only provides, once again, the member countries of the East African Community with the opportunity to work towards the restoration of peace, security, and stability in our region—particularly in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo for the sustainable development of the region—but also, and above all, it serves to further strengthen the bonds of cooperation among the member states of our community.”

Prof. Dr Sombo Ayanne Safi Mukuna Marie-Thérèse, Minister of Higher and University Education, DRC, said:

“The holding of this conference in Kinshasa, in a security context still marked by challenges in the eastern part of our territory, is an undeniable act of faith in the unifying and transformative role of education. It is also a clear message to African youth that despite obstacles and difficulties, our region chooses the irreversible path of knowledge, cooperation and innovation. In doing so, the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the most recent member of the East African Community, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the ideals upheld by IUCEA, which include:

• Harmonisation of systems
• Co-construction of regional standards, and
• Pooling of resources and expertise.”

The conference agenda is packed with plenary sessions, keynote speeches, and panel discussions addressing critical topics such as transdisciplinary education, micro-credentials, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education.

Key sessions include:

• Transdisciplinary Education for Solving Real-World Problems: Featuring insights from Prof. Kuo Yi-Lung of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and other distinguished panelists.
• Micro-Credentials and Lifelong Learning: Exploring flexible, market-aligned learning pathways with contributions from experts such as Prof. Kutangila Mayoya David, a leading academic and technological figure in the DRC, and Mr. Michael Niyitegeka, Executive Director of Refactory Limited.
• Digital Transformation and AI Integration in Higher Education: A forward-looking discussion led by notable experts, including UNESCO’s Xin Yuan and Prof. Madara Ogot, CEO of the UbuntuNet Alliance.

The conference served as a platform to launch key initiatives, including the AI Training of Trainers Program for East Africa, spearheaded by UNESCO-ICHEI, and the EAC AI Alliance, hosted by GIZ. These programs aim to equip educators and institutions with the tools needed to navigate the rapidly evolving educational landscape.

The meeting is expected to produce actionable strategies and policy recommendations to ensure the EAC remains competitive and inclusive in the global education arena.

The IUCEA Annual Meeting and Conference is a statutory gathering that brings together higher education managers, policymakers, and practitioners from the EAC and beyond to reflect on broader issues in higher education. This year’s conference aligns with IUCEA’s goal of establishing a regional information hub for integrated higher education and promoting digital learning infrastructure to enhance quality and innovation in teaching, learning, and research.