SAQA

20/10/2026

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

The afternoon programme of Day One of the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) Annual Meeting, co-hosted by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) held in Cape Town on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, continued with interesting discussions.

Through a series of breakaway sessions, delegates explored international approaches to qualifications recognition, the use of artificial intelligence (AI), digital learning infrastructure and the development of more connected education systems.

The sessions brought together experts from qualifications authorities, higher education institutions, international organisations, technology companies and credential evaluation services to examine emerging developments shaping the recognition and movement of credentials across borders.

Breakaway sessions explored diverse perspectives on global learner mobility and credentials collaboration, as well as the relationship between credentials, trust and opportunity in unequal systems. Focus on strengthening the systems and technologies that support credential recognition were held, including sessions that explored AI readiness and digital maturity in credential recognition, developments shaping the United States learning mobility landscape, and approaches to scaling trusted micro-credentials and AI literacy. These topics highlighted the range of considerations involved in building systems that can support the changing needs of learners, education providers and employers.

Late afternoon sessions shifted attention towards the future of learning and the systems needed to support it. Discussions included Designing Curriculum for Mobility, and themes relating to alignment and standards were explored.

The afternoon concluded with a session presented by Emeritus Professor Martin Hall of the University of Cape Town, where Dr Hall brought a further perspective on the questions raised by the growing role of AI in knowledge and education systems.

In closing, it was announced that the 2027 GDN Annual Meeting will take place in Canada.

20/10/2026

𝐆𝐃𝐍 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

Day One of the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) Annual Meeting is underway in Cape Town. Co-hosted by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), the meeting brings delegates together through plenary and concurrent sessions, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, collaboration and meaningful conversations about the future of credential portability and learner mobility.

The programme opened with welcomes from GDN President Melanie Gottlieb and SAQA Chief Operating Officer, Dr Makhapa Makhafola.

The first session, titled “Growing Innovation: Rethinking Skills, Knowledge and Mobility in a Changing World”, was presented by Tom Wambeke, Chief of Learning Innovation at the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO).

Mr Wambeke explored the urgent need to rethink how skills and knowledge are recognised across borders and learning systems. His presentation highlighted the potential of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and lifelong learning recognition.

The first panel discussion, “Unlocking Global Talent: Skills, Credentials, and the Future of Recognition”, examined how rapid technological change, labour market disruption, increased learner mobility and growing demand for trusted, skills-focused and digital-first credentials are shaping new approaches to skills recognition.

Drawing on experiences from different regions and systems, panellists explored how recognition, digitalisation and interoperability can strengthen trust, transparency and the portability of learning records and skills data across borders.

Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Buti Manamela challenged delegates to focus on three priorities during their deliberations:

* Making credential verification and recognition measurably easier for learners and workers without compromising quality and integrity.
* Advancing secure, accessible and learner-centred digital solutions, including for those with limited connectivity, incomplete records or difficulties navigating complex procedures.
* Strengthening the connection between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional agenda and global cooperation, ensuring that referencing, recognition and data exchange move beyond declarations towards practical implementation.

“I wish you productive discussions, enduring partnerships and practical outcomes that continue long after you leave Cape Town,” said Minister Manamela.

As the meeting continues, delegates will engage in further discussions aimed at strengthening international cooperation and advancing the recognition and portability of qualifications, skills and learning records.

20/10/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐃𝐍 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐂𝟐 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧

The Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) Annual Meeting co-hosted by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) has begun! We are ready to welcome stakeholder representatives from across the globe to South Africa

Over the next three days, delegates will share, learn and lead discussions on developing capabilities, policies and technical platforms to improve data exchange and credential portability in support of citizen and learner mobility.

Welcome to Cape Town. Welcome to .

19/10/2026

𝐔𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞

Today, the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) hosted a pre-conference event at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), bringing delegates together for an important conversation titled “Decolonising Recognition: Ubuntu - Stronger Together.”

Featuring speakers from across Africa and around the world, the event created space for diverse perspectives on recognition, justice and collective strength. Through their contributions, speakers and delegates examined the need to move beyond traditional approaches to recognition and embrace systems that value different cultures, communities and ways of knowing.

The gathering explored how the recognition of Indigenous Knowledge Systems can become more inclusive, equitable and responsive to different cultures, communities and ways of knowing.

Grounded in the African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are”, the event challenged delegates to rethink how learning, skills, knowledge and contributions are valued, highlighting the importance of collective knowledge and community impact.

As South Africa continues to advance the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), these conversations are essential to building recognition systems that value diverse learning experiences and promote greater inclusion.

The insights and outcomes from today's discussions will contribute to the broader dialogue at the GDN Annual Meeting, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2) from 20–22 October 2026.

The GDN Annual Meeting will bring together international expertise and provide South Africa with an opportunity to engage with global partners on the future of qualifications recognition, digital credentials and learner mobility. Discussions will explore how trusted digital systems and stronger international cooperation can support the recognition of qualifications, knowledge and skills across borders, with important implications for education pathways, skills development and professional mobility in South Africa and the SADC region.

19/10/2026

𝐔𝐛𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞

Today, the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) hosted a pre-conference event at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), bringing delegates together for an important conversation titled “Decolonising Recognition: Ubuntu — Stronger Together.”

19/10/2026

𝐒𝐀𝐐𝐀 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐃𝐍 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧

Pretoria, 18 October 2026 – The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), in partnership with the Groningen Declaration Network (GDN Network), will host the 2026 GDN Network Annual Meeting from 20 to 22 October 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC2) in Cape Town.

19/10/2026

The GDN Annual Meeting 2026 begins tomorrow at CTICC2 in Cape Town.

From 20–22 October, SAQA and the Groningen Declaration Network will welcome representatives from across the global education and digital student data ecosystem for three days of sharing, learning and collaboration.

We look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town.

16/10/2026

The afternoon session at SAQA’s Micro-credentials Workshop focused on testing the emerging approach to micro-credentials and considering its implications for South Africa, Africa and the wider region.

Facilitated by Ms Wendy Palmer, the session provided an opportunity to reflect on the day’s discussions, explore the way forward and consider how micro-credentials can contribute to lifelong learning, skills recognition and workforce transformation.

The insights shared today provide an important foundation for continued collaboration among education and training providers, industry, policymakers and other stakeholders to shape a trusted, relevant and responsive approach to micro-credentials.

As the session wrapped up, SAQA called on all stakeholders to keep the momentum going beyond today’s discussions.

16/10/2026

The discussions at SAQA’s Micro-credentials Workshop continued today, 16 October 2026, under the theme: Microcredentials for Lifelong Learning, Skills Recognition and Workforce Transformation in Africa.

Founder of the Lifelong Learning Practice and a co-founder in the Australasian Microcredential Network, Ms Wendy Palmer was the facilitator on the day and led a session on what makes a micro-credential trustworthy and recognisable, drawing on international examples and the work of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL).

The programme then turned to what should be represented within the South African system, exploring emerging definitions and principles, including NQF credit-bearing and non-credit-bearing learning, industry credentials, professional learning and shorter learning experiences.

These discussions are an important step towards understanding how micro-credentials can support lifelong learning, skills recognition and workforce transformation in South Africa and across the continent.

16/10/2026