Kingston, Jamaica – The 20th Annual Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE) Conference, held from November 5–7, 2024, concluded on a high note, with Jamaica cementing its reputation as a leader in fostering regional collaboration on quality assurance in higher education.
Under the theme “20 Years of Promoting Quality in Higher Education- Development, Impact and Opportunities for a Sustainable Future”, the three-day event brought together over 200 delegates from across the region and beyond, including educators, policymakers, accreditation professionals, and industry stakeholders.
This year’s conference was a blend of engaging keynote presentations, dynamic workshops, plenary discussions, panel discussions and presentations addressing pivotal issues in Higher Education. Noteworthy moments included:
- A powerful opening address from Dr. Tamika Benjamin, Acting Chief Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills and Information highlighting Jamaica’s commitment to developing higher education.
- An empowering Keynote presentation from Dr. Maurice Smith, University Registrar/Chief Administrative Officer at the University of the West Indies
- An engaging pre-conference Data Protection workshop led by Dr. Patrick Anglin, University Data Protection Officer
- Insightful plenary presentations from Dr. Victoria Galan-Muros, Chief of Research and Analysis, UNESCO International Institute for Higher Education; Dr. Mark Millron, President and CEO; National University and Dr. Michelle Claville, Vice President for Research and Policy Analysis, Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- Strand presentations from over 40 industry professionals
- A lively post-conference excursion to the iconic Bob Marley Museum, celebrating Jamaican culture and heritage and the Mico University INAFCA Museum to learn more about Jamaica’s history and culture.
The conference also saw significant networking and the sharing of best practices, with delegates reaffirming their commitment to elevating education standards across the Caribbean.
Belize to Host CANQATE 2025
During the closing ceremony on November 7, the spotlight shifted to the next chapter of CANQATE’s journey. Belize was officially announced as the host of the 2025 conference. Representatives from Belize gave an enthusiastic preview of what delegates can expect, emphasising their commitment to advancing regional collaboration in higher education.
As the curtains close on this year’s conference, CANQATE continues to inspire regional leaders to strengthen their commitment to quality in higher education. With anticipation now building for Belize 2025, CANQATE remains steadfast in its mission to empower minds and transform lives through quality assurance. Highlights from the conference can be found on the UCJ’s instagram page @_theucj or on CANQATE’s Facebook Page.
