Welcome to IUCEA

Vision:  IUCEA becomes an exemplary common higher education area for a prosperous and sustainable East African Community by 2030.

Mission: To encourage and develop mutually beneficial collaboration between Member Universities and between them and Governments and other organizations, both public and private

IUCEA Core Values:  Accountability, Transparency, Unity, Diversity, Integrity, Professionalism and Teamwork

IUCEA executive members visiting IUCEA premise

Stakeholders and AI Experts at the Validation Workshop in Dar es Salaam, on the 6th of October 2026 Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education, Rwanda, IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Rai and other high-level dignitaries at the 15th EAQAN Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, on the 6th of September 2026. Vice Chancellors pose for a memorable group photograph during the 17th IUCEA Annual Meeting and Conference, held on 29 July 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. IUCEA Signs MoU with France’s HCÉRES to Strengthen Quality Assurance in Higher Education on 28th of July 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. Participants at the 17th IUCEA Annual Meeting and Conference on 27th of July 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Rai, giving opening remarks at the 4th STI Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, on 30th of March 2026. EAC Ministers from Partner States with EAC Head of Institutions and Organs at the 4th STI Conference in Kigali on the 30th of March 2026.
 Participants at the National Sensitisation Workshop on March 9, 2026, together with the IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary Prof. Idris A. Rai and Hon. Claudette Irere, Minister of State for Education in Rwanda. Prof. Idris Rai, the Acting Executive Secretary of IUCEA, along with Hon. Andrea Ariik Malueth, the Deputy Secretary General of the EAC, and teams from GIZ and EASTECO at the IUCEA Headquarters on 20th of February 2026.
 IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary, Prof. Rai, giving his opening speech at Munyonyo resort on the 8th of December 2025 Different stakeholders at the ACE II Technical and Advisory Meeting on the 8th of December 2025 in Munyonyo Resort Hotel. Prof. Idris Rai, the IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary, Prof. Caroline Nombo, the PS of the Ministry of Education, Tanzania, and participants at the Harmonised Guidelines for Higher Education Data Management Workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 22 October 2025. IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Rai and stakeholders from EAC Partner States in Dar es salaam, Tanzania at the Workshop of Recognition of Prior Learning. Deputy Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), the Minister of Higher Education of the DRC, the Minister of Regional Cooperation of the DRC, the Chairperson of the Executive Committee of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), representatives from EAC partner states at the 16th Annual Meeting and Conference of IUCEA, in Kinshasa on July 29, 2025. Stakeholders from EAC Partner States in Bujumbura on the 7th of August 2025 at the validation workshop for the fee structure model for higher education institutions in the East African Community.
 Participants at the EACARNRI Conference in Arusha, Tanzania, on the 26th of June 2025. Different stakeholders at the Regional Dialogue Workshop on Mutual Recognition of Qualifications in East Africa, held on June 19, 2025, at Entebbe, Uganda. IUCEA Deputy Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Rai, with participants during the Artificial Intelligence Workshop in Zanzibar on 13th May 2025. IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, with Postgraduate Supervisors at Admas Hotel on the 21st of May 2025. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the Executive Secretary of IUCEA, and participants during the Capacity Building Training Workshop of Quality Assurance Practitioners in Bujumbura, Burundi, on April 28, 2025. IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, and the Translators in Bujumbura on the 1st May 2025 L- R Mr. Ousmane Diagana, Regional Vice President for Western and Central Africa, World Bank
His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, Minister for Education, The Republic of Ghana His Excellency, John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana
 Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary, Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) Deputy Chairperson of IUCEA Executive Committee, Prof. Rose, IUCEA Executive Secretary, Minister of Education Rwanda, and Executive Secretary of EASTECO at APPPF conference in Kigali Rwanda on 12th March 2025. IUCEA Executive Secretary, Minister of Education Rwanda, and Executive Secretary of EASTECO with participants at APPPF conference in Kigali Rwanda on 13th March 2025. Stakeholders group photo during the workshop on EAC Common Higher Education Area on 20th March 2025 in Nairobi A photo of Higher Education Authorities from EAC Partner States on friday 21th of March 2025 in Nairobi , Kenya.
 Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof. Robert Deng, IUCEA Chairperson of Executive Committee, Prof. Rai, Deputy Executive Secretary and VC-KCA University at the 40th Executive Committee Meeting, January 15th in Bujumbura Burundi. IUCEA Executive Committee Members pose for a group photo during the January 15th, 2025 meeting in Bujumbura. On November 20, 2024, IUCEA Executive Secretary Prof. Banyankimbona and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education in Tanzania with representatives from IUCEA member universities in Dar es Salaam. During the National Sensitization Workshop held in Dar es Salaam on November 20, 2024, the IUCEA Executive Secretary joined representatives from EAC partner states for a group photo. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the Executive Secretary of IUCEA, met with stakeholders during the EAQAN meeting held at the Safari Club Hotel in Nairobi on September 9, 2024.
 IUCEA New Board Members and IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof. Banyankimbona at Hilton Garden Inn Hotel , Kampala on 1st of October 2024.
 IUCEA, Executive Secretary, Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona , EALA MP and members of Staff from IUCEA Member Universities
during EAC-Scholarhsip Programme Summer School Tour at USIU-Africa on the 17th of October 2024. Young Scholars of EAC under EAC-Scholarship Scheme at USIU-Africa on the 19th of October 2024.
 A group photo during the IUCEA stakeholders workshop on the 14th of October 2024 at Safari Club Hotel, Nairobi Kenya. Stakeholders group photo on 27/8/2024 at Admass Hotel, Entebbe Uganda. IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof.Banyankimbona with the former Chair of the IUCEA Executive Committee Prof. Calixte Kabera,
newly elected Executive Committee Chair Prof. Robert Mayom, and Deputy Executive Secretary, Prof. Idris Rai on
18th of July 2024 at Imperial Plaza, Juba. Newly elected Executive Committee and the former Executive Committee members on the 18th of July 2024
at Imperial Plaza, Juba-South Sudan. His Excellency Hussein Akol, the vice president of South Sudan, Hon.James Hoth Mai, Minister of Labour, Republic of South Sudan,
IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof. Banyankimbona, Undersecretary Ministry of East African Community affairs, Juba and
Higher Education Councils and Commissions representatives from EAC partner States on the 17th of July 2024 at Imperial Plaza,
Juba-South Sudan. His Excellency Hussein Akol, the vice president of South Sudan, Hon.James Hoth Mai, Minister of Labour, Republic of South Sudan,
IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof. Banyankimbona and Vice Chancellors of Universities from IUCEA member Universities
on the 17th of July 2024 at Imperial Plaza, Juba-South Sudan. A group photo of IUCEA Communication team with facilitators, ACE II Centers of Excellence participants from Malawi, Mozambique and
Tanzania during the Communication workshop in Malawi, Lilongwe on the 27th of May 2024 Executive Secretary, Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona with First Deputy Prime Minister of Uganda, and Ambassadors of South Sudan,
Burundi and Rwanda to Uganda on 19th of July 2023 at IUCEA Headquarters, Kyambogo. EALA MPs Committee on Accounts Oversight with IUCEA staff on the 21st of May 2024 at IUCEA Headquarters ,Kigobe Road, Kyambogo. A group photo of IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof. Banyankimbona with Vice Chancellors and
educational experts during the EAC-SMS consultative meeting at Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi on the 15th March 2024. Executive Secretary Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona with participants for Quality Assurance practitioners
at Entebbe, Uganda. Members of the IUCEA Executive Committee (2022-2024) after election during the General Assembly
in Bujumbura, Burundi. The Principal Secretary, State Department of Vocational and Technical Training, Ministry of Education in Kenya,
Dr. Margaret Mwakima (Centre) with Director, TVET, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in Tanzania,
Dr. Noel Mbonde (Left) and Dr. Genene Abebe (Right), the Chairperson, the Technical Working Group
after signing a communique to adopt the Regional TVET Qualifications Framework for the 3 countries. Kenya National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration Visits IUCEA Vice Chancellors, Permanent Secretaries and CEO of Commissions
and Councils of Higher Education from EAC Partner States at the
IUCEA Annual Conference Prof. Idris Rai, the IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary, Prof. Caroline Nombo, the PS of the Ministry of Education, Tanzania, and participants at the Harmonised Guidelines for Higher Education Data Management Workshop in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 22 October 2025. IUCEA Executive Committee members during the 42nd meeting at Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, on January 29, 2026.
Vision

A Globally competitive Institution advancing the Common Higher Education Area for Regional Integration.

Mission

To advance the transformation of East African higher education through, quality assurance, research and innovation, digital transformation, strategic partnerships and institutional capacity development for global competitiveness and sustainable development.

The objectives of IUCEA’s Strategic Plan 2026 – 2031 aim at furthering:

  1. To advance the operationalization of the Common Higher Education Area to deepen EAC integration.
  2. To catalyse a future-ready higher education ecosystem through technology transformation and ethical AI integration for equitable access.
  3. To strengthen the Regional Knowledge Economy through Integrated Research, Innovation, and Industry Linkages.
  4. To foster collaborations, partnerships, and resource mobilization.
  5. To enhance Institutional Excellence, Governance and Visibility. Read more

The IUCEA Act, 2009

In 2009 the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) enacted the IUCEA Act 2009, thus effectively integrating IUCEA into the EAC operational framework. The Act spells out the objectives, functions, institutional setup and systems of governance and management of IUCEA. According to the Act any university, university college, and degree awarding institution may apply for and get admitted to the IUCEA membership as long as it is properly incorporated in the EAC Partner State where it is operating and is pursuing objectives that are consistent with the functions of IUCEA as spelled out in the Act.

Act establishing IUCEA Secretariat - Act 2009.pdf
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IUCEA executive members visiting IUCEA premise

Functions of the council

Ensure development of a comprehensive electronic Network linking member universities, for use in supporting and promoting new methods of teaching and learning, information dissemination by the Council and between member universities and research partners.

Membership

IUCEA has rules governing membership and establish the application process, eligibility, categories, and admission and termination of IUCEA membership. The IUCEA membership comprises of universities, university colleges, and other institutions.

Projects & Programmes

IUCEA interventions are supported by the EAC Partner States and the network of stakeholders including Development Partners from the region and beyond. The following are the current programmes and projects that are implemented or coordinated by IUCEA.

News, Opportunities & Upcoming Events

EAC Advances Regional AI Skills Initiative to Prepare East African Graduates for the Future of Work

The East African Community (EAC), the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), in collaboration with the Federal Republic of Germany, have taken a significant step towards strengthening Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy in higher education through the validation of the draft EAC AI Foundational Module.

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KDU Global Partial Graduate Scholarship

We are excited to announce that the application period for KDU Global Partial Graduate Scholarship for Spring 2027 is now open for students from the East Africa Community (EAC) member countries.

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KDU Global Partial Undergraduate Scholarship for Self-Sponsored East Africans at Kyungdong University Global, South Korea (Extra 3rd Cohort) Spring 2027

Kyungdong University (KDU) Global is a fully accredited private university in South Korea that partners with IUCEA to offer scholarships to students from EAC member countries (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Federal Republic of Somalia).

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Job advertisement for the position of executive secretary

IUCEA seeks to recruit a highly qualified and visionary Executive Secretary to lead the institution in realizing its mandate and strategic objectives. In accordance with the East African Community (EAC) rotational arrangement for this position among Partner States, the next Executive Secretary shall be appointed from the Republic of Uganda.

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IUCEA, Arizona State University Design Institute Partner to Drive AI-Ready Higher Education in East Africa

The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) and Arizona State University’s University Design Institute (UDI) have established a strategic partnership to strengthen the capacity of universities across the East African Community (EAC) to respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI) and other forces transforming higher education.

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East Africa Calls for Stronger Quality Assurance to Build Future-Ready Higher Education Systems

East African higher education stakeholders have been urged to strengthen quality assurance systems and move decisively from the development of regional frameworks to their effective implementation to build a more integrated, trusted and future-ready higher education system across the region.

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