There have been numerous complaints regarding the delays in obtaining equivalences for degrees pursued abroad by some students. Christine Mutesi, the Manager of the Academic Quality, Accreditation, Standards, and Qualification Framework Division at the Higher Education Council (HEC), shed light on the matter in an exclusive interview with The New Times. The Equivalence Division Manager highlighted various reasons causing delays in the process. Mutesi explained that the application process involves submitting documents through the Irembo platform, and once accepted, HEC contacts the respective university to confirm the applicant's presence. “Delays often occur when universities take time to respond, causing applicants to perceive HEC as the cause of the delay,” Mutesi said. ALSO READ: Rwanda cancels academic equivalences for US varsity graduates She added that incomplete or insufficient documents from the applicants also pose a challenge, with notifications sent through the Irembo system for necessary corrections. Mutesi pointed out that some applicants struggle with the process, and HEC encourages them to seek assistance from Irembo's agents. Moreover, among other challenges, Mutesi mentioned issues with universities requesting fees during the verification process without notifying their alumni. Makerere University in Uganda was cited as an example. Another significant challenge involves schools in neighboring countries being shut down, leading to doubts about claims of studying there. Mutesi cited instances where applicants provided false information about studying during the COVID-19 pandemic, raising suspicions during immigration checks. She also pointed out cases of forgery, where applicants failed to obtain travel clearance and resorted to forging residence permits. Collaborating with other institutions, such cases may lead to investigations for the use of forged documents. Responding to recent reports by local media houses, Mutesi addressed the claim that only 10 percent out of 1000 applicants have legit papers. She clarified that there was no formal survey conducted. Instead, the information resulted from random suggestions, reflecting the daily challenges faced in the equivalence issuance process. Mutesi argued that the percentage might increase if individuals facing doubts due to various scenarios were included in the count. Mutesi highlighted that one key challenge involves verifying the authenticity of degrees when immigration reports individuals as “never traveled,” When they claim to study physical classes. “This discrepancy prompts doubts, leading to further investigation,” Mutesi concluded by emphasizing that fulfilling the requirements is essential for a successful application. “The HEC aims to streamline the equivalence process, addressing challenges and ensuring the authenticity of academic credentials,” she added.
