LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Higher Education Minister Dr Jessie Kabwila has once again sent a strong warning to those using fake degrees and doctorate degrees to acquire jobs arguing that the law will hunt them.
Dr Kabwila emphasized the need for the general public to tame the appetite for fame by using honorary degrees that lack academic merits.
She told the news conference on Wednesday, April 3, 2025 in the capital Lilongwe that the ministry is backing Council for Higher Education (NCHE)’s recent statement stoping general public to use fake degrees, honorary doctorate and professorships.
“It should start from those holding these honorary degrees by stopping using them before we embarrass. This applies to everyone who was given these titles including religious leaders, politicians and individuals.
“We want to bring sanity by putting everything inorder on what has been earned legally and genuinely in academic circles”, assures Dr. Kabwila.
The Minister therefore reiterated government’s commitment to improving higher education standards in the country.
Kabwila further said fake degrees and poor education standards are like cancer that eats away the fabric of society, eroding the value of hard work, excellence, meritocracy, integrity and accountability that are essential for the development of the nation.
“The fight against fake degrees and low standards of higher education is a fight for the soul of our nation which requires collective efforts from various stake holders to uphold the values of honesty, integrity, and excellence that are important for the achievement of the country’s development plans,” she said.
Dr Kabwila therefore added that government has set up steps to deal with fake institutions, fake degrees or papers, and quality education issues.
“The Ministry will make sure that all higher education institutions are registered with NCHE, conducting quality assurance audits to detect low higher education standards.
“We are also developing a higher education bill that will institute inspectors in higher education institutions”, said Dr Kabwila.
She, therefore, urged all higher education institutions and employers to audit certificates of their employees and where in doubt contact NCHE or relevant authorities for verification.
Chief Executive Officer for NCHE, Dr Ambumulire Phiri, said the institution is geared in improving quality of education in the country by taking broader steps in sensitising the masses on suitable standards of higher education systems in the country through various platforms.
Phiri advised all higher learning institutions in the country to set up quality assurance standards to avoid being deregistered by the council.