Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) has issued a stern warning against the proliferation of unregistered institutions conferring fake undergraduate, postgraduate, and honorary degrees, including PhDs.
This alarming trend is undermining the integrity of Zimbabwe’s higher education system and posing significant risks to the public.
In a press statement released over the weekend, ZIMCHE revealed that it has identified several unregistered institutions engaged in these illegal practices.
Despite being issued with closure orders, some of these entities continue to operate, enrolling students and issuing fraudulent qualifications.
ZIMCHE stated that of particular concern was the use of false titles such as “Professor” or “Doctor” by recipients of these fake degrees.
“These activities not only deceive unsuspecting members of the public but also tarnish the reputation of our higher education system,” stated ZIMCHE.
The Council emphasized that some recipients of these fraudulent qualifications were willing participants in academic fraud, while others were victims who have been duped out of their hard-earned money.
As the regulatory authority mandated under The ZIMCHE Act [Chapter 25:27], ZIMCHE is committed to safeguarding the standards, quality, and credibility of Zimbabwe’s higher education system.
The Council has warned unregistered institutions to cease operations immediately and withdraw all fraudulent qualifications.
Recipients of these fake credentials have been strongly advised to stop using them or face legal consequences, including civil and criminal prosecution.
To protect stakeholders, including students, employers, and the public, ZIMCHE has initiated investigations into these unlawful activities.
The Council has pledged to take appropriate legal measures against both unregistered institutions and individuals found complicit in academic fraud.
ZIMCHE has urged the public to verify the accreditation status of institutions before enrolling in any programs.
Employers have also been encouraged to authenticate qualifications presented by prospective employees.
The Council highlighted that some unregistered institutions frequently change locations to evade detection and may claim affiliations with dubious international universities that are not accredited in their countries of origin.
“We remain resolute in our mission to uphold the integrity and quality of Zimbabwe’s higher education system,” ZIMCHE affirmed.
Meanwhile, the Council is intensifying efforts to ensure that only accredited institutions operate within the country, maintaining the high standards that have been built over decades.
