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Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)

Strategic Plan Validation

Stakeholder Feedback and Questions Submission Form

Purpose: The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is validating its Strategic Plan with stakeholders. This questionnaire invites your feedback on the five (5) strategic objectives, their strategies, and expected outcomes, and provides space for you to submit questions for consideration during the validation process.

Instructions: Please review each strategic objective and (i) rate the statements by selecting one option per row, (ii) provide comments or suggested improvements, and (iii) submit any questions you may have. Your responses will be treated confidentially and used solely to refine the Strategic Plan.

Reference document: IUCEA Strategic Plan Validation Questionnaire (attached). Please submit by 16 July 2026.

Section A — Respondent Information

Section B — Validation of Strategic Objectives

Strategic Objective 1

To advance the operationalization of the Common Higher Education Area to deepen the EAC integration.

Strategies

  • Implement and monitor the operationalization of the Common Higher Education Area
  • Implementation of the EAC Accreditation of programmes
  • Coordinate the operationalization of the Qualifications Framework in EAC to facilitate mobility
  • Coordinate the operationalization of the Regional Quality Assurance Framework

Overall Expected Outcome

The East African Community has an effectively functioning Common Higher Education Area characterized by harmonized higher education policies, compatible qualifications systems, strengthened quality assurance mechanisms, enhanced academic and professional mobility, mutual recognition of qualifications, and increased regional collaboration, thereby contributing to deeper regional integration, human capital development, and a globally competitive knowledge economy.

Please rate the following statements:

The strategic objective is relevant to IUCEA's mandate and EAC regional integration priorities.

The objective is clearly and precisely formulated.

The proposed strategies/interventions are adequate to achieve the objective.

The expected outcome is realistic and achievable within the plan period.

The objective adequately addresses stakeholder needs in the higher education sector.

Strategic Objective 2

To catalyse a future-ready higher education ecosystem through technology transformation and ethical AI integration for equitable access.

Strategies

  • Strengthen Digital Infrastructure & Shared Platforms
  • Expand Digital Access, Inclusion & Mobility
  • Promote Digital Governance & Ethical AI for Higher Education
  • Enhance Digital Skills, AI Literacy & Talent Development

Overall Expected Outcome

A digitally transformed, AI-enabled, inclusive, resilient, and future-ready East African Higher Education Ecosystem that leverages ethical and responsible technologies to expand equitable access, improve quality, strengthen institutional efficiency, accelerate innovation, and enhance regional and global competitiveness.

Please rate the following statements:

The strategic objective is relevant to IUCEA's mandate and EAC regional integration priorities.

The objective is clearly and precisely formulated.

The proposed strategies/interventions are adequate to achieve the objective.

The expected outcome is realistic and achievable within the plan period.

The objective adequately addresses stakeholder needs in the higher education sector.

Strategic Objective 3

To strengthen the Regional Knowledge Economy through Integrated Research, Innovation, and industry linkages.

Strategies

  • Enhance research excellence in higher education.
  • Facilitate collaborative research ecosystems and cross-border knowledge exchange
  • Enhance commercialisation of research outputs and innovations
  • Foster academia-industry collaborations

Overall Expected Outcome

East Africa possesses an integrated, innovation-driven higher education and research ecosystem in which universities, industry, governments, and development partners collaborate effectively to generate, commercialize, and apply knowledge for industrial development, job creation, regional competitiveness, and sustainable socio-economic transformation.

Please rate the following statements:

The strategic objective is relevant to IUCEA's mandate and EAC regional integration priorities.

The objective is clearly and precisely formulated.

The proposed strategies/interventions are adequate to achieve the objective.

The expected outcome is realistic and achievable within the plan period.

The objective adequately addresses stakeholder needs in the higher education sector.

Strategic Objective 4

To foster collaborations, partnerships, and resource mobilization.

Strategies

  • Strengthen regional and international partnerships to advance academic collaboration and exchange across the East Africa Higher Education Area and beyond
  • Foster regional academic and research networks to improve information sharing among universities.
  • Promote collaborative academic programs under the IUCEA Act to enhance regional integration and harmonize higher education standards across member universities
  • Enhance mobility systems across East African Partner States and beyond
  • Boost and diversify IUCEA resource mobilization mechanism

Overall Expected Outcome

Strengthened regional and international collaborations, strategic partnerships, sustainable resource mobilization, and enhanced academic mobility that accelerate the development of an integrated, innovative, globally competitive, and financially resilient East African Higher Education Area.

Please rate the following statements:

The strategic objective is relevant to IUCEA's mandate and EAC regional integration priorities.

The objective is clearly and precisely formulated.

The proposed strategies/interventions are adequate to achieve the objective.

The expected outcome is realistic and achievable within the plan period.

The objective adequately addresses stakeholder needs in the higher education sector.

Strategic Objective 5

To enhance Institutional Excellence, Governance and Visibility.

Strategies

  • Improve organisational performance and Efficiency through Digital Transformation
  • Enhance Revenue Diversification and Institutional Sustainability
  • Strengthen Governance and Accountability
  • Branding, Thought Leadership and Engagement

Overall Expected Outcome

A digitally transformed, well-governed, financially sustainable, accountable, and internationally visible regional centre of excellence that delivers high-quality services and provides strategic leadership for higher education, research, and innovation in the East African Community.

Please rate the following statements:

The strategic objective is relevant to IUCEA's mandate and EAC regional integration priorities.

The objective is clearly and precisely formulated.

The proposed strategies/interventions are adequate to achieve the objective.

The expected outcome is realistic and achievable within the plan period.

The objective adequately addresses stakeholder needs in the higher education sector.

Section C — Overall Feedback and Questions

Consider issues such as ethical AI, digital transformation, future readiness and regional impact.

Submission: Please complete and submit this online form by 16 July 2026. For enquiries, contact [insert contact person / telephone] or write to [insert email address].

Thank you for your valuable contribution to the IUCEA Strategic Plan validation.