Chantelle Muzanenhamo
The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) has issued a stark warning regarding the rise of unregistered institutions in the country that are unlawfully conferring fraudulent educational qualifications.
In a statement released yesterday, ZIMCHE expressed grave concern over these institutions, which include those offering deceptive undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and even honorary Ph.D.s.
ZIMCHE’s mandate is to protect the integrity of Zimbabwe’s higher education system, and the council views these illegal activities as a threat to both the quality of education and public trust.
“These activities undermine the integrity and quality of Zimbabwe’s higher education system and pose significant risks to the public,”read part of the statement.
According to ZIMCHE, several unregistered institutions have been identified, and the council has begun issuing closure orders against them.
However, some of these entities are reportedly continuing their operations, enrolling students and issuing fraudulent degrees despite these warnings. This resistance highlights the challenge that ZIMCHE faces in combating academic fraud.
The statement also highlighted another alarming aspect: the misuse of titles such as “Professor” or “Doctor” by both officials of these unregistered institutions and recipients of their dubious qualifications.
ZIMCHE pointed out that some individuals, likely unaware of the illegitimacy of these institutions, end up being exploited, losing their hard-earned money in the process. Others, however, may knowingly participate in this fraud, willingly using bogus titles to advance their careers or credibility.
“As the primary regulatory authority following The ZIMCHE Act [Chapter 25:27], ZIMCHE has resolved to take proactive measures to protect institutions, students, employers, and the public from this illicit practice. ZIMCHE is committed to investigating these illegal activities thoroughly and will employ appropriate legal measures against unregistered institutions as well as individuals involved in this academic deception,” the statement continued.
In an appeal to the public, ZIMCHE urged caution, encouraging students to verify the accreditation of educational institutions before enrollment. Employers were also advised to authenticate the qualifications presented by job candidates through ZIMCHE’s official channels.
The organization also warned that some fraudulent institutions may frequently relocate to evade detection and pointed out that many are not owned by Zimbabweans or may falsely claim affiliation with unrecognized international universities.
“The ZIMCHE remains resolute in its mission to uphold the integrity and quality of Zimbabwe’s higher education system,” read the statement.
The council is intensifying efforts after there has been a surge of fraudulent academic qualifications, particularly among officials from and high profile People.