Many students have expressed dissatisfaction with the length of time it takes to receive equivalencies for degrees they have earned overseas.
In an exclusive interview with The New Times, Christine Mutesi, Manager of the Academic Quality, Accreditation, Standards, and Qualification Framework Division at the Higher Education Council (HEC), provided insight into the situation.
The Manager of the Equivalency Division outlined several factors contributing to the process’s delays. According to Mutesi, the application procedure entails sending documentation via the Irembo platform. If the application is approved, HEC gets in touch with the relevant university to verify the applicant’s attendance.
According to Mutesi, “delays frequently happen when universities take their time to respond, leading applicants to believe that HEC is the reason behind the delay.”
She went on to say that applications with missing or inadequate documentation might also be problematic, and the Irembo system can notify applicants of any necessary revisions. Mutesi brought up the fact that some candidates find the process difficult, and HEC advises them to ask Irembo’s agents for help.
Mutesi also listed difficulties with universities charging money for verification without informing their alumni, among other problems.
It used Uganda’s Makerere University as an example.
One more major issue is the closing of schools in neighboring nations, which casts doubt on claims to have studied there. Mutesi gave examples of how candidates misled immigration officers by claiming to be enrolled in school during the COVID-19 outbreak.
She also cited instances of forgery, in which applicants turned to counterfeiting residency permits in order to circumvent the requirement for travel permission. Such incidents, in conjunction with other institutions, may result in investigations into the use of falsified documents.
In response to recent claims from regional media outlets, Mutesi addressed the assertion that just 10% of the 1000 applicants have valid documentation. She made it clear that no official survey was carried out.
Rather, the data came from haphazard recommendations, which captured the day-to-day difficulties encountered during the equivalency issuing procedure. Mutesi contended that if those with uncertainties as a result of different circumstances were counted, the percentage might rise.
Mutesi emphasized that confirming the legitimacy of degrees when immigration records people as “never traveled” even when they claim to have attended in-person classes is a significant challenge.
“This disparity raises questions and warrants additional research,”
In closing, Mutesi emphasized that completing the prerequisites is necessary for an application to be accepted.
She continued, “The HEC aims to ensure the authenticity of academic credentials, address challenges, and streamline the equivalency process.”
