Port-au-Prince, February 28, 2026.- The National Agency for Higher Education and Scientific Research (ANESRS) officially launched its work on Friday, February 27 at the Karibe Hotel, marking a decisive step in the restructuring of the Haitian university system. Governmental authorities, rectors, academics and international partners welcomed the operationalization of this institution created by decree. It is called upon to fill more than forty years of regulatory vacuum, to ensure regulation and modernization of the sector, and to reposition Haiti in a global dynamic based on knowledge, scientific research and innovation.
An act of sovereignty to fill 40 years of regulatory vacuum
Since the opening of the ceremony, Dr. Ketty Balthazar Accou has welcomed an institutional moment that is crucial for the academic future of the country.
Rector Jocelyn Val, Secretary General of the Conference of Rectors and Presidents of Haitian Universities (CORPUHA), described the operationalization of the ANERSRS of« act of national sovereignty ». According to him, this agency fills more than four decades of legal vacuum, which has led to the uncontrolled proliferation of academic institutions often lacking adequate infrastructure and rigorous academic standards. He believes that this new structure represents hope for the renovation of the university system and the intellectual reconstruction of the country.
UNESCO resident representative in Haiti, Eric Voli Bi, also welcomed the creation of the agency, which he considers to be « an act of faith in Haitian intelligence ». He stressed the need to build a quality university ecosystem, aligned with labour market needs and capable of supporting innovation and development.
The Minister of National Education and Vocational Training, Augustin Antoine, said that the ANESRS reflects a clear political will to regulate the sector and make it a strategic lever for national reconstruction. He called on the institution to be impartial, competent and committed to academic excellence.
A mission focused on scientific rigour and cognitive sovereignty
In his central speech, the President of ANERSRS, Dr. Herold Toussaint, presented the Agency's mission as an instrument of cognitive sovereignty and national intellectual autonomy. The institution will exercise administrative, scientific and educational control over all higher education institutions and research centres in the country.
For Dr Toussaint, the development of a nation is now based on its human and scientific capital, far beyond its natural resources alone. The university, according to his words, must assert itself as a sanctuary of critical thought, a laboratory of innovation and a guarantor of methodological rigour. He also warned against certain abuses, including academic superficiality, intellectual imposting and the trivialization of university titles.
The President of ANERSRS stressed the need to restore scientific rigour as an institutional norm, an essential condition for national credibility and innovation. The prospects announced include the establishment of regional offices and the organization of scientific activities throughout the territory, including initiatives such as: « Celebrating Science », designed to strengthen the scientific culture within the population.
Abordant la question de l’égalité, le Dr Toussaint a souligné le rôle stratégique des femmes dans la recherche scientifique, considérant leur pleine participation comme un levier de transformation durable. En conclusion, il a appelé à une mobilisation concertée des universités et des pouvoirs publics afin d’assurer à la jeunesse haïtienne un avenir scientifique solide.
Gouvernance, défis structurels et intégration de l’intelligence artificielle
En marge de la cérémonie, InfosNation a interrogé le Dr Guichard Doré sur les défis politiques et structurels susceptibles d’entraver la mission de l’ANESRS. Il a évoqué l’absence historique d’une politique publique cohérente en matière de recherche et développement en Haïti, précisant que l’agence aura pour rôle d’appliquer les orientations définies par les autorités compétentes. Selon lui, le pays devra prioriser la scolarisation universelle, la formation professionnelle et le développement d’un enseignement supérieur adapté aux besoins nationaux.
Interrogé sur l’intégration de l’intelligence artificielle, le Dr Evens Emmanuel a indiqué que certaines institutions haïtiennes, notamment l’École supérieure d’infotronique d’Haïti (ESIH), dispensent déjà des formations dans ce domaine à l’échelle francophone. Il a insisté sur la nécessité d’encadrer l’usage de l’intelligence artificielle dans le respect des principes éthiques, tout en permettant aux universités haïtiennes de s’approprier ces technologies afin de devenir productrices de savoir et non simples consommatrices.
La cérémonie s’est achevée par le transfert symbolique des dossiers de la Direction de l’enseignement supérieur et de la recherche scientifique (DESRS) à l’ANESRS, ainsi que par la présentation des premiers chantiers de l’institution. Les responsables et partenaires ont exprimé leur volonté de faire de cette agence un pilier de la réforme universitaire et du développement scientifique national.
Avec cette opérationnalisation, les autorités entendent poser les bases d’un système d’enseignement supérieur structuré, capable de former des compétences, de produire des connaissances et de contribuer au redressement durable d’Haïti.
R.J.
