By Thandie Chadzandiyani
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has issued an order for the closure of illegal universities operating in the country.
This was announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 23 signed by Dr. Mathilda Chithila-Munthali, the Council’s Chief Executive Officer.
According to the statement, the higher learning institution has made the decision following failure of the said universities to follow the proper procedure and get accredited by the council.
“The NCHE ACT provides in section 15 that: No person other than a public higher education institution or organ of state shall provide higher education unless the person is registered or provisionally registered as a private higher education institution Section 19 (1).
“The same Act makes provision for quality assurance of higher education through regular assessments and accreditation. However, these institutions have been operating without registering, therefore the Council is ordering that these institution should stop operating forthwith,” reads part of the statement.
Among the institutions to be closed include Accountancy Tuition Calling (ATC), Amity University, Azteca University, Bandawe Research Consultancy (BRC), Cypress International University also known as Cypress international Institute for Academic Research, Cyprus institute of Marketing, Hands of Africa Theological College, Malawi University of Veterinary Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Sola Scripture Bible College, Techno-Brain Institute and Central African Preaching Academy.
However In case the institutions fail to comply with the order, the council has disclosed that it will commence legal proceedings against individuals and institutions facilitating the operation of these institutions in accordance with Section 34 of the NCHE Act.
The National Council for Higher Education NCHES was establishest by the National Council for Higher Education Act (Act No. 15 of 2011) and is mandated to promate and regulate higher education in Malawi
The crackdown is coming amid the ongoing forced closure of some private broadcasting stations in the country by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) which activists in the country have condemned as it threatens to increase the number of youths unemployed in the country.
