BONG COUNTY, LIBERIA-Liberia’s Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah has launched the Second International Conference of the West African Anglophone Quality Assurance Network (WAAQAN) at Cuttington University in Bong County.

Dr. Jallah said,” Quality assurance must become the cornerstone of Liberia’s higher education reform”.

Dr. Jallah emphasized that institutional credibility and academic excellence depend on quality assurance.

Minister Jallah made the statement on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Bong County, when she launched the Second International Conference of the WAAQAN.

The education minister also called on universities and colleges to embrace rigorous standards and continuous improvement.

She said,” Liberia’s future centers on the strength of its educational institutions, thus highlighting the importance of regional collaboration through the WAAQAN.

Education Minister Dr. Jarso Jallah described shared standards and peer learning as vital to elevating the entire West Africa academic ecosystem.

For his part, the Keynote Speaker of WAAQAN Second International Conference, Prof. Pierre Gomez, acknowledged quality assurance as the foundation for institutional credibility, regional integration, and global competitiveness in higher education.

Delivering his address under the theme:” Improving Higher Education Ecosystem through Quality Assurance”, Prof. Gomez said,” Quality assurance must evolve from a compliance checklist into a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.

Representing the Gambia, Prof. Gomez highlighted the strides made by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MOHERST) in collaboration with the National Accreditation and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA).

These include legislative reforms to align with regional standards, the implementation of a national qualifications framework, and the expansion of quality assurance coverage to technical and vocational education and training (TVET).

Prof. Pierre Gomez noted that internal quality assurance units have been established across public universities and private institutions in the Gambia, guided by frameworks rooted in national and regional best practices.

Meanwhile, the President of the West African Anglophone Quality Assurance Network (WAAQAN) has outlined the achievements of the organization.

Prof. Keyode Adekeye noted that WAAQAN, which emerged from an eighteen-month training program, supported by two organizations in Germany, has since grown to include over seventy institutions across the region.

Prof. Adekeye highlighted the network’s efforts in training more than sixty personnel in Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia, and Sierra Leone, between 2019 and 2023, focusing on curriculum development, institutional quality culture, and digitalization of teaching and learning.

Speaking at the Second WAAQAN International Conference at Cuttington University in Bong County, Prof.Adekeye said,” Quality assurance must be embedded into every layer of the higher education ecosystem from curriculum design to teaching methodologies and institutional governance.

The WAAQAN President also praised the leadership of Cuttington University for hosting the conference, describing their openness and commitment as instrumental to WAAQAN’s expansion into Liberia.

At the same time, Cuttington University President, Dr. Romelle Horton, has reaffirmed the institution’s century-long commitment to academic excellence, welcoming delegates to the Second West African Anglophone Quality Assurance Network (WAAQAN) Conference with a call to exceed global standards in higher education.

Speaking on the historic grounds of Cuttington University in Suacoco, Dr. Horton described the gathering as a testament to the region’s shared dedication to quality assurance.

Dr. Horton emphasized the importance of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and innovation in strengthening institutional standards and enhancing student experiences.

She encouraged participants to actively engage in the sessions, forge new relationships, and enjoy Liberia’s hospitality—including its renowned cuisine.

Dr. Horton also highlighted Cuttington University’s legacy as a pillar of higher education in the region, expressing pride in hosting such a pivotal event.