The member states of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries want to promote high quality standards in higher education in order to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, it was announced today in the capital of São Tomé.

The intention was expressed today at the opening of the 5th meeting of the Higher Education Regulatory Agencies of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), which began today in the capital of São Tomé, under the slogan "Science and Innovation in Higher Education and Employability".

"At this fifth meeting we have the opportunity not only to reflect on the progress made so far, but also to identify new strategies and collaborations that can further strengthen our network and promote high quality standards in higher education throughout the CPLP," said the Minister of Education, Culture and Science of São Tomé and Príncipe.

Isabel Abreu considered that the work of the regulatory agencies is "fundamental to improving the quality assurance systems" of higher education institutions and has made it possible to "build a favorable environment for the academic and professional development" of students, as well as for the advancement of societies.

On the theme of the meeting, which ends on Friday, the São Toméan minister said that "science and innovation play a crucial role" in training students "to face the challenges of the job market and the 21st century".

Isabel Abreu announced that the São Toméan government will inaugurate its first higher education regulatory agency on Friday, which she considered to be "an important milestone" and an ongoing commitment "towards the quality and improvement of higher education in São Tomé and Príncipe".

The director of Cultural Action and Portuguese Language at the CPLP executive secretariat, stressed that there have been "significant advances in higher education systems in all CPLP countries" in recent decades, but "it is also essential to recognize that there are still important challenges to overcome".

To this end, João Boa Ventura Imã Panzo advocated "a collaborative, concerted approach that can only be achieved by strengthening cooperation" between Portuguese-speaking regulatory institutions.

The representative of the executive secretariat of the CPLP stressed that higher education institutions have the power to boost innovation, research and the training of qualified human resources, "thus contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in areas such as quality education, gender equality, health, clean energy and many others". (NM)