By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard,
Ntinda, Uganda: On Tuesday, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) officially pronounced itself to have replaced the word ‘expiry’ with ‘Due for Review’ for programmes whose re-assessment period had lapsed and have not been re-submitted to for review.
The council also agreed to maintain the word ‘Under Review’ for programmes whose re-assessment has lapsed but have been submitted to NCHE for review and extended the period between accreditation and re-assement to the equivalent of two programme cycles plus one year (2n+1)and that during this period, a programme will be recognized as accredited.
The Council set 30th/November/2023 as the mandatory submission date to NCHE for all the programmes labeled as ‘Due for Review’ for re-assessment.
Asked on what happens if institutions don’t meet this deadline, Professor Mary Okwakor, the Executive Director of National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) admitted that they will not enroll students on such programs but maintained that for the students who are already pursuing programmes ‘Due for Review’ will graduate in them and their awards will be recognized internationally.
Professor Mary Okwakor, the Executive Director of National Council for Higher Education (NCHE)/Courtesy Photo.
These considerations were reached at during a meeting of Vice Chancellors and Heads of Other Degree Awarding Institutions (ODAIs) on 1st/June/2023 and susquent meeting with Principles of Other Degree Awarding Institutions on 2nd’June /2023.
Important to note:
Terminologies use are explained here,
Due for Review programmes: Refers to those whose re-assessment period had lapsed and have not been re-submitted to NCHE for review.
Under Review Programmes: Refers to those whose re-assessment period had lapsed and have been re-submitted to NCHE for review.
Phased out Programmes: Refers to those that are should be enrolled on by students.
Dr. Vincent Ssembatya the Director Quality Assurance and Accreditation Services at NCHE told media that there are about 4200 programmes in question.
He said, 2048 were actively accredited and are okay, 2004 are due for review and 209 are under review.
He also clarified on the review process stating that it starts with;
…the Institutions through internal process that’s to say by departments, schools, senate then council before submitting to NCHE.
..then NCHE which starts with basic review to check whether they are fit for purpose and the field visits to ascertain availability of resources and detailed requirements.
He says they involve professional organizations to execute this process.
National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) was established as the regulator of higher education to implement the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act of Parliament (UOTIA, 2001). By the provisions of the Act, NCHE is mandated to guide the establishment of institutions of higher learning as well as ensure the delivery of quality and relevant education to all qualified persons.