In a recent press conference, the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) responded to allegations regarding the teaching of expired courses in universities across the country. The council acknowledged the concerns raised by various stakeholders and assured the public that they are taking the matter seriously.
The allegations came to light on 2nd May 2023 when new headlines sparked social medias that Ugandan Degrees Rejected Abroad. These headlines came after the circulation of two documents said to have originated from the university of Cambridge and the second alleged to have been authored by an official from British university all from United Kingdom.
Statement from University of Cambridge stated that the University collaborates with the NCHE to facilitate the admission of students into recognized programmes.
When several students and faculty members expressed doubts about the relevance and applicability of certain courses being taught in universities. Some claimed that the curriculum had not been updated for many years, rendering the knowledge provided outdated and irrelevant to current industry standards.
Addressing these concerns, Professor Mary. J. N. Okwakol , the Exective Director of NCHE, stated that they have initiated a comprehensive review of all university programs and curricula. The council aims to identify any courses that might be outdated or lacking in relevance, ensuring that students receive high-quality education aligned with the demands of the modern workforce.
Professor Okwakol emphasized that the responsibility for maintaining up-to-date curricula lies with both universities and the regulatory bodies. The NCHE is committed to working closely with universities to encourage curriculum revision and modernization efforts. They plan to establish guidelines and frameworks to ensure that universities regularly review and update their course offerings to meet industry demands.
The NCHE conducting two meetings, one with the Vice Chancellors and leaders of other degree awarding institutions and the second meeting with the Principals and other tertiary institutions and later presented a report to the council for consideration.
During these meetings the NCHE and the stakeholders agreed to change and replace words like Expired that had existed on the NCHE website for many years.
And according to the press statement released on the 6th June, the following replacements and changes where made;
1. To replace the work expiry with “Due for review” for programs who’s reassessment period had lapsed and not been re submitted to NCHE for review.
2. To maintain the phrase “Under review” for programs whose assessment period has elapsed but has been submitted to NCHE for review.
3. To extend the period between accreditation and re assessment to the equivalent of two program cycles plus one year, and during that period the program will be recognized as accredited.
4. And lastly to have a mandatory submission to NCHE of all the programmes Labelled as ” Due for review” by 30th November 2023 for re assessment.
The NCHE also set up a task force comprising experts from academia, industry professionals, and relevant stakeholders. This task force will assess the current state of courses and curricula across universities, identify areas of improvement, and make recommendations to address the issue.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the NCHE will collaborate with industry bodies and employers to gather feedback on the skill requirements of the job market. This feedback will help universities align their programs with the evolving needs of various industries and equip students with the relevant knowledge and skills for their chosen career paths.
National Council for Higher Education acknowledges the concerns raised regarding the teaching of expired courses in universities. They have taken decisive action by initiating a comprehensive review, establishing a task force, and collaborating with industry stakeholders to address the issue. The NCHE aims to ensure that students receive high-quality and industry-relevant education, preparing them for the challenges of the modern job market.
