Archive for the ‘Africa’ Category

According to a recent article in the Sun News Online, thousands of Nigerian students have been shocked to learn that they have been attending illegal universities and that any transcripts, certificates, or degrees they may have earned are worthless.  The National Universities Commission raided several study centres and closed them for operating without federal government approval.  In some situations, lectures were being taught by unqualified instructors, tuition was paid to third party accounts, approval was granted for specific programs but other, higher level programs were offered instead, and other nefarious methods were used to trick students into believing they were earning legitimate, valid credentials.  In other situations, though, the main campus of an institution was legitimately authorized but not the illegal campus in question.  In some cases, the institutions outright lied and printed false advertising materials.

These are some of the specific institutions mentioned in the article.  Inclusion on this list means only that the institution in question was listed in the article, either as one of the universities or study centres to be closed OR as universities whose names have been illegally and unknowingly co-opted by this fraud.  Please read the complete article for further details.

• Topmost International Comprehensive Secondary School
• Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State
• Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso
• Itire Primary School, Ijesha, Lagos
• University of Education, Winneba, Ghana
• University of Ibadan (UI)
• Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife
• Charles Lorie French Academy, FESTAC, Lagos
• Institute of Security Management Operations
• Chartered Institute of Administration, Ojo
• Evan Enwerem University, Owerri, Imo State

Students who unwittingly enrolled in these fraudulent programs have little recourse but have been advised to enroll in the National Open University of Nigeria or the University of Lagos Distance Learning Program while attempting to hold the proprietors financially responsible.

The higher education qualification commission in Cameroon has exposed more than 300 instances of fraudulent diplomas for qualifications issued abroad.  Nearly 30% of the credentials presented to the commission for equivalency determination turned out to be fraudulent, and the vast majority (291 of 308) were faked Chad Baccalaureats.   As a result of the growing problem of fraudulent credentials being used in all sectors of Cameroonian society, the prime minister has recommended that job applicants for both the public and private sector be required to provide official documents for diplomas obtained abroad.

http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20100820152726819

Last week, the Ministry of Higher Education closed 106 private tertiary colleges due to illegal operations.  Most of the students enrolled at these institutions nationwide were enrolled in mid-year exams.  Many of the lecturers at the colleges are reputed to be untrained teachers and even those who left school without degrees while the staff are secondary-school leavers.

Unfortunately, none of the articles reporting on this topic included a complete list of the institutions that were closed, and the MOHE website does not appear to be maintained regularly.  As a result, the list of registered colleges on the MOHE website – http://www.mhet.ac.zw/colleges/registered_colleges.htm – includes all of the colleges that have been registered

According to the article, “The closed institutions include famous ones like ZDECO, Denmak Training Services, Bulawayo Hospitality College, New Vision, NRZ Training Centre in Bulawayo, Herentals, ZAOGA Dressmaking College, Christian Family Bible Institute in Manicaland province and Apex Training Centre, Institute of Education, Rodwel Foundation and City Centre Study.”

For more information, check out the original article: http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2010-07-13-govt-closes-106-colleges

The government of Mozambique recently approved the National Academic Credits Accumulation and Transfer System.   This will allow students in higher education institutions in Mozambique greater flexibility in attending different institutions, changing majors, or completing programs at a faster pace.

More information can be found online at  http://allafrica.com/stories/201006300948.html

Some interesting news has come out of Nigeria recently.  The head of the Civil Service of Nigeria has publicly stated that the Nigerian Higher National Diploma (HND) is most decidedly not equivalent to a Bachelor degree.  He also said that the Federal Ministry of Education was working on some kind of program that would allow HND holders to study an additional year and earn another certificate that would equate their studies to that of a Bachelor degree in Nigeria.

This will be especially interesting to those of you who work at US colleges or universities because it may affect your own placement recommendations with respect to the HND.

For more information, check out the full article at http://allafrica.com/stories/201006230609.html

The private institution Lugazi University may lose its provision license if they don’t resolve some specific problems identified by the Uganda National Council of Higher Education within the next six months. The university is no longer allowed to recruit new students unless they take care of their financial obligations (including paying their lecturers), hire adequate and qualified staff, and provide better instruction to their current students. The six month deadline before closure gives school administrators time to take corrective action while also offering a buffer for students to make alternative plans if needed.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/Education/-/688336/922714/-/11hhsj6/-/

Rwanda’s Ministry of Education (MOE) has delayed the start date of classes until February 1, 2010, while it continues to train its 40,000+ teachers in English.  The MOE plans for all academic lessons to be conducted in English beginning in 2010, and the last batch of teachers will finish up their training at the end of January.  As a result, the first term of the 2010 academic year will be 2 months instead of the usual 3.  Nearly 4,000 new classrooms have also been constructed to accommodate hundreds of thousands of new students expected to begin lower secondary school this year, now that the first three years of lower secondary education are taken at the primary schools.  This is all part of Rwanda’s new Nine Year Basic Education (NYBE) plan, aimed at decreasing student dropouts.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200912240050.html

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has apparently misplaced an unknown number of its university certificates.  As a result, many students are unable to continue their studies or apply for permanent jobs because they don’t hold the degree certificate from the degree they completed. The university says that delays with printing and financial issues are temporary and will be resolved soon.  No date is given for the expected resolution, and no numbers are available to indicate how many students have been affected.

http://www.zimeye.org/?p=10782

Twelve people have been arrested this week in a scandal related to the matriculation examination in South Africa.  Exam papers that were leaked – mathematics 1 and 2, accounting, and physical science 1 and 2 – have already been rewritten.  Most of those arrested are facing criminal charges, and an internal investigation is ongoing.  Among those arrested are an education specialist (who was the overseer for receiving & distributing exam papers), a typist in the examination authority’s office, a teacher, an internet cafe proprietor, a retail employee, and a couple of students.

http://www.sowetan.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1091138

Starting April 2010, Nigeria’s existing University Matriculation Examination (UME) will be replaced by the new Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).  According to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, the new exam will allow students to sit for a single entrance exam that can be used for admissions to polytechnics, colleges of education, and universities alike.   The new exam will be held only once a year, and JAMB’s public relations office stresses the importance of accuracy of completing the online exam registration since errors made in the application will jeopardize the student’s chance to take the exam that year.

More information can be found online at http://allafrica.com/stories/200911030647.html

The higher education strikes that have crippled Nigeria have been temporarily suspended. The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have agreed to a two-week suspension of the 4-month-old strike in order to come to agreement on their terms.  However, although the strikes went into suspension on Friday, classrooms across the country remained closed yesterday, though students are back on campuses and many administrative offices have re-opened.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200910140244.html

http://nigerianbulletin.com/summary-plus-news/uncertainty-as-students-lecturers-returns-to-campuses-the-nation/13102009/10435/

Six new public universities have been opened in Angola, and their principals were sworn in by the Prime Minister this week.  The new universities are: Mandume Ye Ndemofaya Univesrity in Huila, Lueji A’Nkonde Univesrity in Lunda Norte, 11 de Novembro University in Cabinda, Katyavala Buila University in Benguela, Kimpa Vita University in Uige, Jose Eduardo dos Santos University in Huambo.   Earlier this year, a university decree called for reorganizing public higher education, creating new higher education institutions, and restructuring Agostinho Neto University.

Click here for more information.

Here’s an update to yesterday’s article about illegal universities shut-down in Uganda.  The five universities have been blacklisted because they didn’t meet minimum qualifications, presumably that their programs were not accredited by the National Council for Higher Education.  We inadvertently left one of the universities off our list yesterday. Oops!  To recap, the illegally-operating institutions are: Latin University of Theology, Luweero University, Nile University, Global Open University, and Central Buganda University.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/artman/publish/news/Five_universities_blacklisted_92247.shtml

The National Council for Higher Education in Uganda has released a list of universities that are operating illegally and instructed them to close immediately.  The institutions are: Luwero University, Global Open University, Central Buganda University, and Nile University. No details are given as to the nature of their illegal operations (failing to register, failing to meet accredtiation requirements or pay fees, diploma mill status, etc.).

http://www.unche.or.ug/news.php

Students who complete Ethiopian vocational secondary education programs now have the opportunity to further their education by taking the first national entrance exam for 10+3 TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) graduates.  TVET programs are geared towards students who were unsuccessful on their 10th year national exam and were thus funneled into occupational programs rather than college-prep programs.  However, some of them may be successful at higher education and now have the opportunity to sit the new exam as long as they meet the entrance requirements (completing level 3 and 4 occupational certifications and 2 years of work experience).

http://addisfortune.com/University%20Entrance%20Exams%20for%20Vocational%20Graduates.htm

Like France earlier this summer, teachers, education administrators, and students have been striking throughout Nigeria in recent months.  For Nigerian educators, the main reasons for the strikes revolve around money: unpaid salaries, agreed-upon raises that were never given, underfunded educational institutions, and illegal firings. So far, the strikes have affected more than 50 federal and state universities, though there has been mention that private institutions have temporarily participated as a show of solidarity. While money is at the heart of the situation, the impetus for the strikes that have effectively shut down higher education in Nigeria since June was the federal government’s plan to terminate the collective bargaining process entered into by the government, the Ministry of Education, and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) back in 2006. The basic terms of agreement were centered on university funding, salaries, university autonomy/academic freedom, and other issues.  The three parties were supposed to sign off on the negotiations earlier this year, but despite reaching agreement in many areas, the government refused to sign off, leading to a warning strike by the ASUU in May.  In early June, the government terminated further negotiations, prompting the ASUU strike that began on June 22 and has not yet ended.  Now, it appears that the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) is also planning to strike starting September 1, also because of monetary promises left unfulfilled by the government, which would shut down primary and secondary schools in 19 (of 36) states.  The Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) began striking last week, and other unions have are also participating at various staff and academic levels throughout the country.  The beginning of the strike interrupted scheduled post University Matriculation Exams (UME) at many institutions, some of which have been rescheduled, some already taken (despite the strike), some taken and results canceled (because they were given during the strike), and some on hold indefinitely.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200908270834.html

http://allafrica.com/stories/200908260726.html

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=152005

http://allafrica.com/stories/200908200758.html

South Africa’s Department of Basic Education has redesigned the new National Senior Certificates (NSC), making the coat of arms more prominent.  Seniors who graduated last year have waited nearly nine months for their results certificates but have been able to move forward with further education and employment goals by submitting results electronically and using the Statement of Results.  To qualify for the NSC, students need seven subjects, four which are compulsory (English, another language, mathematics, and life orientation) and three electives (chosen by the student from 27 options).

http://www.eyewitnessnews.co.za/articleprog.aspx?id=19950

http://www.monash.ac.za/prospective/admissions/south-africa-nsc.html

The University of Zimbabwe, the premiere university of that country, has finally re-opened after eight months of closure due to water, financial, medical, and management issues.  At this time, however, they are not accepting new students, and students who were enrolled before the closure are expected to sit their final exams from last semester in a couple week’s time.  There will then be a two-week break before the next semester starts.  Unfortunately, students are also expected to pay much higher tuition rates (two to three times the monthly salaries of most working adults), half of which must be up-front, or their exam results will be withheld.

For more information: http://www.universityworldnews.com/article.php?story=20090807094848827 and http://www.hararetimes.com/our-town/1-news/1015-the-university-of-zimbabwe-now-open.html

Normally we don’t post the entire contents of a news article that we’re referencing, but we’re going to make an exception here just in case this one goes away someday. There’s just not enough stuff to go ’round about (un)accredited institutions in Nigeria.

National Universities Commission (NUC) yesterday presented a list of 45 ‘universities’ which “have not been licensed by the Federal Government and are, therefore, operating illegally.

NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, said the schools  are operating in violation of Education (National Minimum Standards etc) Act CAP E3 Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004,” and  advised the general public, especially parents and prospective undergraduates, to shun them and their campuses.The names, published in the Commission’s Monday Bulletin, included, National University of Nigeria, Keffi; Metro University, Dutse/Bwari; Leadway University, Ughelli; St. Clement’s University, Iyin Ekiti; Blacksmith University, Awka; UNESCO University, Ndoni; Lobi Business School, Makurdi; Westlan University, Esie, Concept College/Unversities (London), Ilorin; Atlas University, Ikot-Udoso Uko and Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja.

Others are Kings Ambassadors University, Kaduna; Atlanta University, Ayingba; Richmond Open University, Arochukwu; Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru, Ndoki; University of Industry, Yaba; United Nigeria University College, Okija; JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University), Kaduna; Sunday Adokpela University, Otada Oturkpo; Royal University, Abakaliki; and St Augustines University of Technology, Jos, among others.  Okojie told reporters that the  universities and affiliations were responsible for the poor image of the country’s university graduates.

The list  also included such affiliations as, The International University, Missouri, USA; Collumbus University , UK ; Tiu International University , UK ; Pebbles University , UK ; Aston University , UK and EC-Council University , USA , Ikeja Lagos Study Centre.

Others are, the University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo; Houdegbe North American University , London External Studies, UK and West African Christian University.

Source: http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=150607

Ethiopia joins the ranks of those who are revising or replacing their national university entrance exam this year.  The Ethiopian School Leaving Certificate Exam had been replaced in 2001.  At that time, students took the new Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate exam after finishing grade ten.  Based on their results,  students were then streamed into either vocational programs or college-prep programs on the road to university studies both of which were two years in length.  For those who go the preparatory route, they take the final national exam, the Ethiopian Higher Education Entrance Certificate Examination, which is itself being replaced.  The existing exam covers five subjects while the new one will have seven: English, math, natural sciences (physics, biology, and chemistry) or social sciences (geography, history, and economics), civics, aptitude subjects.  Each subject will be worth 100 points out of a possible 700.  This change, which is expected next year, will be one of several changes to the education system in Ethiopia as part of their new reform plan.  The ultimate goal is to graduate more students is natural science programs with a targeted goal of 70% of graduates, specifically in the fields of computing and engineering (40%), basic natural sciences like biology and physics (20%), agriculture (5%) and health studies (5%). They are targeting economics & business and social studies at 20% and 10% respectively for the remaining graduates. The MOE believes this strategy will rejuvenate their professional workforce and, in turn, transform their economy.

http://www.ethiopianreview.com/articles/13807