To address challenges in the accreditation and issuance of equivalences for academic qualification, the Higher Education Council (HEC) is developing a new system to streamline and enhance its verification process. This new system, being developed in collaboration with Irembo, is expected to be in place by the end of this year, according to Edward Kadozi, HEC Director General. Kadozi said this on Tuesday, February 18, during a session in the Senate. ALSO READ: Higher Education Council sheds light on equivalence delay issues He was responding to concerns about whether HEC has been denying and delaying equivalences to degrees earned by Rwandan students who studied abroad. Kadozi said the new system will address challenges in the accreditation and equivalence process, particularly regarding delays and verification of certificates and diplomas. “As of today, we do not have a set timeline that guarantees when an accreditation request will be processed,” he said. “If you submit your request, we cannot say that after four days you will receive it. However, we are currently benchmarking with other countries to establish a clear timeframe for both accreditation and equivalence,” he said. ALSO READ: HEC warns against forgery in getting degree equivalences He noted that one of the major challenges with equivalence is ensuring the safety and quality of education the holder got from a foreign country. “There was a gap in institutional mechanisms while industries demanded skilled professionals with diplomas. This led some individuals to take advantage of the system by forging diplomas and then seeking equivalence,” he explained. According to Kadozi, some individuals applying for equivalence fail to provide necessary documentation. “Before recognising a diploma, we ask applicants to present their previous qualifications, and many cannot provide them. Others have studied at unaccredited universities, which creates complications in the process,” he added. ALSO READ: Rwanda cancels academic equivalences for US varsity graduates The verification process often faces additional delays when institutions or national higher education councils from other countries do not respond to HEC inquiries, he said. “We have encountered cases where universities granted diplomas despite lacking accreditation. When we reach out to the respective country's higher education councils for verification, some do not reply because it could expose weaknesses in their education system. This, in turn, reflects back on us, making it seem like HEC is not delivering,” Kadozi said. He also addressed concerns about practicing professionals without legitimate qualifications. “We have cases of doctors and other professionals working without valid credentials. To prevent such incidents, we are implementing a new system in collaboration with Irembo, using technology to streamline and expedite the accreditation process,” he said. Kadozi emphasised the importance of improving communication and transparency, saying “the real issue is not that HEC is failing to deliver, but that we need to enhance communication and make the process more visible.”
