Conference on Higher Education for Francophone Africa's Development

“Higher Education for Francophone Africa’s Development” is the title of the conference that has taken place in Ouagadougou, in Burkina Faso, on June 13, 14, and 15th, 2006; a conference thought and organized to better understand the keys of success.

Four areas have been selected because they have proven to be key and complex reforms to implement. A significant number of valuable experiences and initiatives exist in these areas and deserved to be shared among the professionals involved or willing to participate in the process of change. Experts’ analysis gave a broader perspective of these issues based on comparative studies at regional and international levels.

The following themes have been discussed:

• Strategy and Management tools;
• Diversifying higher education institutions and programs;
• Improving quality through assurance quality mechanisms and renewal of programs according to international standards;
• Strengthening regional cooperation.

The objective of the conference was to acknowledge, support and accelerate a positive process of change for adapted, strengthened, sustainable and diversified higher education systems in Francophone Africa.

The documents related to the conference are available in French.

• Chloe Fevre: cfevre@worldbank.org
  Consultant, Africa Region, The World Bank
• William Experton: wexperton@worldbank.org
  Lead Education Specialist, Africa Region, The World Bank