Caribbean Educators Push for Higher Standards

The future of Caribbean higher education is under the microscope this week as CANQATE hosts its 21st Annual Conference, bringing together more than 175 experts, educators, and policymakers from 15 countries to rethink how the region measures quality in tertiary institutions.

“We have a total of just over one hundred and seventy-five participants from fifteen countries across the Caribbean,” said Deputy Chief Education Officer Terry Westby-Langford. “We have a room full of experts… sharing their experiences and innovations… that help us to navigate the landscape of quality assurance in higher education.”

A recurring message throughout the conference: keep students at the center. Dr. Pablo Flores of John Paul the Great College stressed that all accreditation reforms must begin—and end—with the learner. “If we are able to do that, it will be a wonderful service to Belize,” he said. “But the risk is if we lose that focus… we will not be at the service of the most important person in that process… the student.”

But updating standards isn’t simple, especially as technology and AI transform how people learn. Dr. Ruby Allen from the University of Trinidad and Tobago noted that regional standards haven’t kept pace. “We started using some standards in the region in 2010. We are still using pretty much the same standards,” she said, calling for a region-wide effort to modernise. “We have to now update our standards… so that we are able to really put all of our efforts into developing something that works well for the Caribbean region.”

With AI reshaping the education landscape, Westby-Langford said maintaining credibility across borders is essential. “We must make sure that the credibility and accreditation of our systems remain… and ensure that these skills are recognised by institutions across borders and employers across borders.”

The conference continues this week.