NCHE to investigate unaccredited varsities

KIGALI - The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) says it is deeply concerned over reports that the unaccredited universities recruited non-existent lecturers during the vetting exercises. Last year, the NCHE started vetting seven unaccredited universities to determine whether they had the capacity to provide quality education. The exercise was conducted by the Licensing Panel from the Institution. Sources from some of the universities in question say, lecturers, computers and books were hired to dupe the NCHE. “It was a big game and I pity innocent students in these universities. We want relevant authorities to look into this matter,” a source from one of these universities claimed on condition of anonymity. The Secretary General in the Ministry of Education, Justin Nsengiyunva, said yesterday that the ministry would launch investigations into the matter. “Whoever is found to be culpable will be punished,” Nsengiyunva warned. He said among other measures, such universities if proved beyond doubt will be closed. Nsengiyunva said it is a big shame for a university claiming to provide quality education could gamble and cheat students. “That cannot be called a university since it lacks the capacity. We want to warn such universities that their licenses will be revoked,” he said. The universities which underwent the vetting exercise included Universite Laique Advantiste de Kigali (Unilak), Umutara Polytechnic, Kigali Institute of Management (KIM) and Institute Polytechnique de Byumba. Others were the Institute d’Agriculture Technologie et Education, Universite Catholique de Kabgayi and Institute Superieur de Ruhengeri. “What I know is that before vetting these universities, NCHE wrote to them weeks in adcance in order for them to get ready,” Nsengiyumva said. The NCHE operates under the Education ministry and is mandated to ensure quality and oversee planning of all tertiary institutions in the country. Unilak’s Rector Dr. Jean Ngamije could not be reached for comment by press time. KIM’s legal representative, Peter Rutaremara said he had no time to speak to reporters. “You just write whatever you want,” he said before hanging up. One of the requirements for a university to be accredited is to have enough operating financial budget to guarantee against any closure after students have paid fees and permanent lecturers. Ends