Functions:

To pursue African advancement and enhanced international cooperation in education and training.
To enhance cooperation with the African Union, the NEPAD Secretariat, the SADC, as well as with specialised education and training agencies, such as the AAU and IICBA.
To strengthen bilateral relations with priority countries in Africa.

To strengthen South-South, North-South and multilateral co-operation in education and training
To strengthen South-South cooperation and pursue mutually beneficial agreements with the key countries of the South, by participating in, and coordinating various programmes involving IBSA, China and the Middle East.
To pursue and consolidate structured interaction with key partners of the North.
Promote multilateralism via constructive engagement with the oECD, UNESCo, the Commonwealth, the WTo and the ILo.
To access international funds for domestic and trilateral programmes.
To encourage international collaboration by institutions, strengthen cooperation with international offices and develop a data base of the international engagement of institutions.