The 22nd Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education (CANQATE) Conference opened on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal under the theme “Education for Impact: Quality Assurance as a Catalyst for Social and Economic Transformation.”
It brings together education leaders, policymakers, accreditation professionals, and other stakeholders from across the Caribbean and beyond to explore how quality education, innovation, and strong education systems can support human development, economic competitiveness, and regional transformation.
In a pre-recorded address to participants, Education Minister Sonia Parag urged them to remain focused on the purpose and impact of their work. “This year’s theme asks us to consider a question that should remain central to every decision we make in education and what difference our work makes in the lives of the people we serve,” she emphasised, stating that “We have a duty to make that promise worthy of their trust.”
The minister underscored that behind every programme reviewed and every accreditation decision is an individual whose future will be shaped by the standards established.
Highlighting Guyana’s commitment to expanding access to tertiary education, Minister Parag noted that under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyanese students are benefitting from tuition-free tertiary education.
Established in 2004 as a sub-network of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education, CANQATE’s mission is to enable members to share information about the maintenance, evaluation, accreditation and improvement of higher education and disseminate good practices in the field of quality assurance.
CANQATE President, Dr Sherlene Enriquez-Savery emphasised the importance of quality assurance in ensuring that tertiary education delivers meaningful outcomes for students and contributes to social and economic transformation.
She highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding access to higher education through free tuition at the University of Guyana and thousands of online scholarships, noting that increased access must be matched by high academic standards and quality programmes that adequately prepare graduates for the workforce.
Dr Enriquez-Savery also challenged institutions to ensure students can think critically, question information and demonstrate genuine understanding.
The delegates were advised to use the conference to review existing approaches in CANQATE’s role in promoting regional cooperation and sharing expertise on quality assurance, and to listen to students’ concerns and develop practical commitments to strengthen higher education across the Caribbean.
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