The country is set to host the maiden
Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, disclosed this on Monday, September 16, 2024, at a press conference in Abuja.
Oloyede hinted that “the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) will hold its First Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity of Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED) on Tuesday, September 17, and Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Idris AbdulKadir Conference Hall, National Universities Commission (NUC), Maitama, Abuja.”.
He said the aim of the conference was to enhance access to higher education for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and improve the learning environment in tertiary institutions in Africa.
“The regional conference is expected to attract participants from Ethiopia, Malawi, Egypt, and other African countries.
“Today, as we prepare for this very important conference, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing equal opportunity access to higher education for all, with particular emphasis on Persons With Disabilities (PWD).
“As we gather for this world press conference, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to ensure that no individual is left behind in the quest for access to quality education,” he said.
According to Prof. Oloyede, the Board recognises that education is a fundamental human right, and as such, they are dedicated to making higher education more inclusive and accessible.
“As we mark the launch of the 1st Africa Regional Conference on Equal Opportunity Access to Higher Education (ARCEAHED’24). It is our fervent belief that this conference will provide the platform to address critical challenges and explore innovative solutions that will help bridge the gap in educational access for PWDs.
“We recognise that education is a fundamental human right, and as such, we are dedicated to making higher education more inclusive and accessible across Africa. The theme of this year’s conference, ‘Advancing the Potentials of Persons with Disabilities in Educational and Economic Development’, speaks to the importance of harnessing the talents and contributions of PWDs in shaping the future of our society.
“Education is the cornerstone of personal empowerment, economic development, and national growth. When we invest in inclusive education, we invest in a brighter, more equitable future for all,” he said.