{{East African Community member states are looking to mutually recognise tertiary education qualifications to enhance free movement of labour.}}
The Inter-University Council of East Africa executive secretary Mayunga Nkunya said Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have have already entered similar agreements for basic education.
Article 11 of the EAC Common Market Protocol provides for harmonisation and reciprocal recognition of academic and professional qualifications.
Speaking during the annual inter-university debate on regional integration in Dar es Salaam, Mr Nkunya said the move would help address youth unemployment, estimated at 70 per cent in Kenya, according to the Economic Survey 2013.
Mr Nkunya said a mismatch between skills and market needs had locked thousands of youths out of job opportunities.
In its report on Global Youth Employment Trends 2013, the International Labour Organisation states that gaps between education and industry jobs aggravate youth unemployment.
During the debate at the JB Belmont Hotel in Dar es Salaam earlier in the week, different education systems also emerged as a major impediment to integration.
Disparities in economic development among member states led to concerns that larger economies like Kenya would benefit from integration at the expense of smaller ones.
Mr Nkunya however warned against standardisation — replication of one education system across the region — saying it would water down quality and relevance because countries have different needs.
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