UNESCO RCQE, Mauritania Mark Strategic Partnership to Advance Education Quality and the Future of Skills

The UNESCO Regional Centre for Quality and Excellence in Education (RCQE) concluded an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania from November 9 to 12, 2026, featuring high-level ministerial meetings, an extensive strategic meeting organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Crafts, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

 It also featured specialized technical sessions, a field visit, and discussions on a roadmap to improve the quality of education and vocational training.

 The visit formed part of RCQE's ongoing efforts, with the support of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to advance quality and excellence in education, develop strategic partnerships with Arab countries, strengthen national capacities, facilitate knowledge exchange and transfer, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

 The visit included official meetings with Minister of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Crafts Mohamed Maelainine Ould Eyih, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Yacoub Ould Moine, and Minister of Education and Education System Reform Houda Mint Babah.

 These meetings explored opportunities for cooperation in advancing education quality and institutional excellence, strengthening national capacities, exchanging educational and training expertise and good practices, and benefiting from the scientific models and frameworks developed by RCQE to improve institutional performance and the quality of educational outcomes.

 The strategic meeting featured a series of specialized technical sessions during which senior officials from the Ministry of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Crafts delivered presentations on the current state of Mauritania's vocational training system, key challenges and national priorities for strengthening governance and quality, and the roles of relevant national institutions.

 Representatives of the Directorate-General for Technical and Vocational Training, the National Agency for Technical and Vocational Training (Takwine), and the National Higher Institute of Technical Education also participated in these discussions.

 As part of the official program, the RCQE delegation conducted a field visit to the Industrial Technical Education and Vocational Training School in Nouakchott, where members reviewed the training programs, vocational specializations, workshops, training facilities, and practical training mechanisms.

 The delegation also discussed opportunities for improving institutional quality, enhancing the efficiency of vocational programs and skills, and aligning them with the requirements of the labor market.

 Minister of Vocational Training, Handicrafts and Crafts Mohamed Maelainine Ould Eyih signed a memorandum of understanding with RCQE Director-General Dr. Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Medaires, in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania Dr. Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Ruqabi, alongside various officials and representatives from both sides.

 The memorandum establishes a framework for institutional cooperation aimed at supporting the development of quality and excellence systems within education and vocational training. It facilitates the utilization of specialized scientific models and tools developed by the center, the enhancement of national capacities, the exchange of expertise and knowledge, and the development of joint initiatives and programs aligned with the developmental priorities of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania.