Govt orders withdrawal of fake degrees

THE Government, through its regulatory board, the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE), has ordered the public withdrawal of all degrees awarded by non-accredited institutions, outlining the relevant lawful procedures to be followed in awarding honorary degrees in line with the country’s Constitution.

In a press statement, ZIMCHE chief executive officer Professor Kuzvinetsa Peter Dzvimbo said ZIMCHE, as the statutory board, was relevant primarily as the guardrails to higher education to maintain credibility and standards.

He said ZIMCHE played a vital role in maintaining the academic and professional quality of the higher education system by ensuring that universities adhered to rigorous intellectual and professional standards.

In Zimbabwean universities, the awarding of honorary doctorates adhered to a stringent multi-tiered process designed to safeguard the recipient’s merit and preserve the university’s academic and intellectual reputation.

“Throughout the entire process, meticulous due diligence is paramount. The university must meticulously verify the nominee’s achievements and ensure that there are no controversies or ethical concerns that could potentially undermine the honour,” said Prof Dzvimbo.

“Once all approvals are granted, the university typically announces the honorary doctorate publicly. An official ceremony is often held to confer the degree upon the recipient, celebrating their remarkable achievements.

“This is usually done at a graduation ceremony with other degrees such as earned Doctorates and Master’s degrees (MBA, MA, MSc, M Phil etc) in our universities that are registered by ZIMCHE, or indeed universities regionally, continentally, or globally, this process unfolds as follows:

“a) Departmental Nomination: The initial stage frequently commences within the academic department or an academic department most aligned with the recipient’s accomplishments.

“This department meticulously gathers information and nominates a highly deserving individual, providing a detailed account of their significant contributions and justifying the proposed recognition.

“b) Faculty Approval: The nomination is then presented to the Faculty Board, which deliberates upon. If the Faculty Board agrees, the submission is cascaded to the Senate by the Faculty Board,” said Prof Dzvimbo.

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