ZIMCHE’s Deputy CEO Visits TCU for Insightful Benchmarking Study Visit
In a significant step towards fostering regional collaboration and benchmarking to enhance the quality of university education, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE), Prof. Wilson Parawira, undertook a study visit to the Tanzania Commission for Universities (TCU) from 9th to 20th June 2025.
This high-level visit underscored the growing commitment among African higher education regulators to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and develop effective strategies in the dynamic field of quality assurance and academic excellence.
Upon his arrival at the TCU offices in Dar es Salaam, Prof. Parawira was warmly received by the Executive Secretary of TCU, Prof. Charles Kihampa, along with senior officials from various departments of the Commission. The purpose of the visit was to promote mutual learning and strengthen bilateral ties between the two regulatory bodies, with a particular focus on areas of shared interest and strategic importance.
Throughout the interactive sessions, the two institutions explored a wide range of thematic areas, including quality assurance policies, programme and institutional accreditation, audit procedures, and stakeholder engagement strategies. Prof. Parawira and the TCU team shared practical experiences and best practices for navigating the evolving quality assurance landscape, both within their respective countries and in the broader global context.
In his remarks, Prof. Kihampa emphasised the importance of collaboration among national quality assurance agencies across Africa. “This visit reflects the spirit of unity and shared growth that we strive to nurture throughout the continent. Our discussions with ZIMCHE offer a valuable platform for constructive dialogue, mutual learning, and benchmarking, which are essential for driving meaningful transformation in university education,” he stated.
Prof. Parawira expressed his appreciation for the warm hospitality and the depth of knowledge shared during the visit. “TCU’s systems and institutional frameworks demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence, accountability, and innovation. This experience provides invaluable insights that will inform ZIMCHE’s ongoing reforms and quality enhancement initiatives,” he affirmed.
The visit concluded with a guided tour of TCU’s core functional departments, where Prof. Parawira engaged directly with staff and gained first-hand insight into the Commission’s operational procedures and quality assurance mechanisms.
The successful visit laid a solid foundation for future collaboration between ZIMCHE and TCU. As African nations work collectively towards harmonising higher education standards, such study visits remain instrumental in building a cohesive and high-performing quality assurance ecosystem. This collaborative spirit not only enhances institutional capacity but also contributes significantly to regional integration and the global competitiveness of African universities.
