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ZIMCHE cracks down on bogus degree ceremony
2 hrs ago |
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The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) has issued a stern warning to the public against enrolling for unaccredited degrees following an advertisement for an unauthorised honorary degree ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at Harare's Rainbow Towers and Conference Centre.
According to ZIMCHE, the event, organised by Iconic International Holdings (Pty) Ltd—a private company registered in South Africa—is set to confer honorary degrees under the banner of the Iconic Global Summit. The company claims to be awarding the degrees in partnership with Prowess University of Delaware and the American Management University.
"Iconic International Holdings (Pty) Ltd is not a registered higher education institution in Zimbabwe and lacks the legal mandate under the ZIMCHE Act to offer, facilitate or confer degrees within Zimbabwe," the council stated.
ZIMCHE added that the institutions cited by the company are not recognised in Zimbabwe or by the United States Department of Education, meaning they have no legal authority to award degrees either locally or abroad.
The council emphasised that conferring degrees without ZIMCHE's approval constitutes a criminal offence. Any honorary degree issued through the planned ceremony will be legally invalid and unrecognised. Individuals who accept such degrees and use titles like "Doctor" could face legal action for misrepresentation or fraud.
ZIMCHE's position is backed by a recent High Court ruling (ZIMCHE vs International Institute of Philanthropy, HCH1469/24), which affirmed that honorary degrees are academic qualifications subject to the council's oversight.
"ZIMCHE remains committed to protecting the public and the integrity of Zimbabwe's higher education system and will continue to take civil and criminal action against those operating outside the law," the council said.
The regulator has already initiated legal proceedings to stop the planned ceremony and urges the public to verify the accreditation status of any institution before enrolling for courses or accepting academic honours.
According to ZIMCHE, the event, organised by Iconic International Holdings (Pty) Ltd—a private company registered in South Africa—is set to confer honorary degrees under the banner of the Iconic Global Summit. The company claims to be awarding the degrees in partnership with Prowess University of Delaware and the American Management University.
"Iconic International Holdings (Pty) Ltd is not a registered higher education institution in Zimbabwe and lacks the legal mandate under the ZIMCHE Act to offer, facilitate or confer degrees within Zimbabwe," the council stated.
ZIMCHE added that the institutions cited by the company are not recognised in Zimbabwe or by the United States Department of Education, meaning they have no legal authority to award degrees either locally or abroad.
ZIMCHE's position is backed by a recent High Court ruling (ZIMCHE vs International Institute of Philanthropy, HCH1469/24), which affirmed that honorary degrees are academic qualifications subject to the council's oversight.
"ZIMCHE remains committed to protecting the public and the integrity of Zimbabwe's higher education system and will continue to take civil and criminal action against those operating outside the law," the council said.
The regulator has already initiated legal proceedings to stop the planned ceremony and urges the public to verify the accreditation status of any institution before enrolling for courses or accepting academic honours.
Source - newsday
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