South Africa Hosts Ugandan Delegation for Technical and Vocational Education for Knowledge-Sharing
By Delicious Mathuthu — The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is hosting Uganda’s Vocational and Technical Assessment Board for a four-day engagement focused on qualifications systems, TVET and pathways linking vocational and higher education.
Delicious Mathuthu 
Pretoria — The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is hosting a delegation from Uganda’s Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB) for a four-day engagement focused on knowledge-sharing on qualifications systems and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The delegation arrived in South Africa on Monday, September 14, and the engagement is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, September 17, 2026.
The two institutions will discuss the development, implementation and coordination of national qualifications systems, as well as pathways linking different sectors of education and training.
SAQA Chief Executive Officer, Nadia Starr, said the engagement presented an opportunity for South Africa to share its experience while also learning from developments elsewhere on the continent.
“SAQA recognises the value of learning from our counterparts across the continent.
“While South Africa has one of the longest-established National Qualifications Frameworks in the world, we also have much to learn from newer qualifications frameworks,” Starr said.
“This engagement provides an opportunity to share our experience while learning from Uganda’s work in strengthening its TVET and assessment system,” she added.
In a statement, SAQA said the discussions are placing particular emphasis on the role of TVET in preparing learners for further study and the world of work.
UVTAB, which was established in 2025, said they are interested in SAQA’s experience in developing and implementing systems that support the articulation and integration of qualifications across the education and training system.
“The engagement will provide an opportunity for the Ugandan delegation to examine SAQA’s mandate, systems, processes and institutional experience, while identifying lessons that can be adapted to Uganda’s context,” SAQA said in a statement on Wednesday, September 16.
One of the key areas under discussion is the relationship between TVET colleges, traditional Universities and universities of technology, the authority said.
The discussions include how qualifications and learning pathways can be structured to allow learners to progress between different levels and types of education and training.
The Ugandan delegation will also share its experience of TVET education, noting that graduates from vocational and technical institutions are increasingly demonstrating practical capabilities and work-readiness.
SAQA said this highlighted the importance of ensuring that vocational and technical education is treated as an integral component of the wider education and training system.
