Unam clarifies ‘unaccredited’ programmes
Unam said in the past, accreditation of programmes has been delayed and the university 'knew' that the outcome would be positive and thus went ahead and marketed the programmes.
The University of Namibia (Unam) has poured cold water over claims it advertised unaccredited programmes for 2023.Namibia Media Holdings recently reported that the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) and the National Qualifications Agency (NQA) sent a letter in November requesting the university to either remove or clarify unaccredited programmes it marketed earlier this month.
According to Unam, following the internal approval of its transformed curricula in April, it submitted the curricula to both the NQA for registration and NCHE for accreditation.
"Unam participated in the NCHE accreditation process from 29 August to 21 October. The outcome is awaited from the NCHE," it said.
According to the university, the NCHE asked its vice chancellor Kenneth Matengu for an audience regarding feedback on the accreditation.
"The university has - before the communication from the NCHE executive director, consulted NQA on how National Qualifications Framework [NQF] registration could be expedited, and NCHE about the advertisement of the programmes.
“It was against the background the 2023 application process would open by September," Unam’s assistant director of corporate engagement, Shahid Dickson, said.
Forward-thinking
When approached for comment, the NCHE said the letter "was meant for Unam consumption only".
The institution added that it has high regard for its relationship with stakeholders and thus "is not prepared to discuss the letter in the public domain".
Unam said in the past, accreditation of programmes has been delayed and the university “knew” that the outcome would be positive and thus went ahead and marketed programmes “for the sake of reaching application deadlines”.
"Unam is thus confident that the transformed curricula will receive the necessary NQF registration and NCHE accreditation before offering the said curricula/programmes in 2023.”
The university maintained that it was not its intention to mislead prospective students or violate any law or policy.