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Chiyangwa varsity ordered to close shop
31 Mar 2014 at 12:07hrs | Views
Government has ordered several higher education institutions to close shop until they are formally registered.
St Linus University from which flamboyant businessman Philip Chiyangwa obtained his controversial doctorate degree is among the unregistered institutions which have been instructed to stop teaching.
Chiyangwa made headlines last year after he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Leadership by the Philippines-based University.
James Makamba, another prominent Zimbabwean businessman based in South Africa, also holds a degree from the same institution.
Apostolic Faith Mission's (AFM) Living Water's Bible Seminary, which has produced a number of renowned preachers like the late evangelist Phanuel Chiweshe - who mentored several others including the charismatic Emmanuel Makandiwa - was also affected by the government directive.
"Apostle" Tavonga Vutabwashe's Heartfelt Institute Ministries has also been affected. The young pastor is also a product of Living Waters Bible Seminary.
In a statement published in the State-controlled media yesterday; the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (Zimche) said the law required that all institutions, including foreign-based ones, offering such services also be registered locally.
"In terms of section 10 of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27), Zimche wishes to inform all stakeholders in higher education that the degrees offered by institutions which are not registered under the Zimche Act are not recognised in Zimbabwe.
"It has come to the attention of Zimche that there are colleges offering degrees in association with institutions domiciled outside Zimbabwe.
"The institutions must be registered in their countries. Further to that, they must be registered with Zimche.
"Failure to register with Zimche means that the institutions in Zimbabwe that are facilitating the teaching of these degrees are violating the Zimche Act of 2006," read Zimche's statement released yesterday.
Universities such as Pan African College of Zimbabwe, Megham Consulting, United Theological College, University of Africa (not Africa University), Christ College (except programmes offered under affiliate-ship with Great Zimbabwe University) are officially closed.
Zimche has also nullified degree programmes from Triune, Calvary, Atlantic International and Harare Theological College.
The statutory body has encouraged aspiring students to verify credibility of institutions with National Accreditation Authorities of host countries rather than rely on institutional websites.
"It is in the best interest of those intending to study abroad to check with Zimche if the qualifications they intend to acquire would be recognised in Zimbabwe, especially if it is a professional qualifications which may require registration with a professional body in Zimbabwe," concluded Zimche.
In a bid to retain what is left of sanity and quality in the education sector, government, early this year, de-registered 300 colleges found to be non-compliant nationwide.
St Linus University from which flamboyant businessman Philip Chiyangwa obtained his controversial doctorate degree is among the unregistered institutions which have been instructed to stop teaching.
Chiyangwa made headlines last year after he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business Leadership by the Philippines-based University.
James Makamba, another prominent Zimbabwean businessman based in South Africa, also holds a degree from the same institution.
Apostolic Faith Mission's (AFM) Living Water's Bible Seminary, which has produced a number of renowned preachers like the late evangelist Phanuel Chiweshe - who mentored several others including the charismatic Emmanuel Makandiwa - was also affected by the government directive.
"Apostle" Tavonga Vutabwashe's Heartfelt Institute Ministries has also been affected. The young pastor is also a product of Living Waters Bible Seminary.
In a statement published in the State-controlled media yesterday; the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (Zimche) said the law required that all institutions, including foreign-based ones, offering such services also be registered locally.
"In terms of section 10 of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27), Zimche wishes to inform all stakeholders in higher education that the degrees offered by institutions which are not registered under the Zimche Act are not recognised in Zimbabwe.
"It has come to the attention of Zimche that there are colleges offering degrees in association with institutions domiciled outside Zimbabwe.
"The institutions must be registered in their countries. Further to that, they must be registered with Zimche.
"Failure to register with Zimche means that the institutions in Zimbabwe that are facilitating the teaching of these degrees are violating the Zimche Act of 2006," read Zimche's statement released yesterday.
Universities such as Pan African College of Zimbabwe, Megham Consulting, United Theological College, University of Africa (not Africa University), Christ College (except programmes offered under affiliate-ship with Great Zimbabwe University) are officially closed.
Zimche has also nullified degree programmes from Triune, Calvary, Atlantic International and Harare Theological College.
The statutory body has encouraged aspiring students to verify credibility of institutions with National Accreditation Authorities of host countries rather than rely on institutional websites.
"It is in the best interest of those intending to study abroad to check with Zimche if the qualifications they intend to acquire would be recognised in Zimbabwe, especially if it is a professional qualifications which may require registration with a professional body in Zimbabwe," concluded Zimche.
In a bid to retain what is left of sanity and quality in the education sector, government, early this year, de-registered 300 colleges found to be non-compliant nationwide.
Source - dailynews
