The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) has warned stakeholders in higher education and members of the public about the International Institute of Philanthropy (IIP) saying the institute is not authorised to confer degrees in the country.
Recently, the institute awarded several individuals including businessman Dilesh Nguwaya and musician Mudiwa Hood, with Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters (DHL).
In a statement they wrote:
It has come to our attention that the International Institute of Philanthropy is awarding several honourary degrees in violation section 75(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013 as read with section 10(1) of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27], which laws prohibit institutions not registered and accredited by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education to offer degrees.
ZIMCHE Quality Assurance in Higher Education The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education wishes to unequivocally inform all stakeholders in higher education and members of the public that, the International Institute of Philanthropy is not authorised to award degrees in Zimbabwe as it is not a registered higher educationvinstitution.
Therefore, the awarding of degrees by the International Institute of Philanthropy is not only a violation of the laws of Zimbabwe, but also undermines the integrity of the entire higher education system in Zimbabwe. We take the integrity of the higher education system in Zimbabwe very seriously, and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine it.
Accordingly, the degrees awarded by the International Institute of Philanthropy are not recognised in Zimbabwe. Members of the public are advised against using titles awarded by unregistered institutions such the International Institute of Philanthropy.
The International Institute of Philanthropy should forthwith:
- Cease all activities that violate the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20) Act, 2013, the Zimbabwe
Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27], the Manpower Planning and Development Act (Chapter
28:02) and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23] and any other laws that regulate
the education standards especially, the awarding of degrees; and - Publicly withdraw all awarded degrees and inform all recipients accordingly.3.
For more information on higher education institutions that are registered and accredited in Zimbabwe in
accordance with the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27), kindly visit the ZIMCHE
website: https://www.zimche.ac.zw/.
The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education remains dedicated to promoting excellence in higher
education and safeguarding the interests of the Zimbabwean public against unregistered institutions.
