Celebrating quality assurance in higher education
Institutions lauded for achievements
The NCHE held a public certificate award ceremony, marking the amendment of private higher education institutions, accreditation of academic programmes and quality audit of institutional policies, systems and processes.
The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) marked a significant milestone in the enhancement of higher education standards with a vibrant awards ceremony. The event recognised achievements in the accreditation of academic programmes, institutional policies, systems and processes across several esteemed institutions, with guests including deputy minister of higher education, technology and innovation Nathalia /Goagoses, as well as NCHE deputy executive director Dr Sylvia Demas.The NCHE is responsible for overseeing and regulating higher education institutions, ensuring quality assurance, accreditation, policy development, and advocacy within the sector.
On the importance of the event, /Goagoses said: “Quality assurance is not a one-time event. It is a continuous exercise to ensure that the institutions and the services they offer meet the ever-changing quality standards".
Among the highlights of the ceremony were the amendments to registration statuses of private higher education institutions and the accreditation of new and improved academic programmes. Welwitchia University, formerly known as Welwitchia Health Training Centre, was prominently acknowledged for successfully amending its registration status.
This change allows the institution to operate under a new name across seven campuses nationwide, cementing its commitment to quality education provision.
The University of Namibia (Unam) and the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) were lauded for their achievement in accrediting eight and six new programmes respectively for the maximum six-year cycle. Additionally, programmes at Sunshine Private College were recognised for significant improvements, leading to their full accreditation status.
Transparency and accountability
Institutional audit reports were also presented to the Namibia Evangelical Theological Seminary, Philippi Trust Namibia, International Training College - Lingua and the African Leadership Institute. These reports are part of the ongoing efforts to ensure that higher education institutions in Namibia adhere to rigorous quality standards, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
Demas said: “The award ceremony serves as a testimony to the transparency and accountability that underpin our educational system".
The ceremony highlighted the collaborative efforts between NCHE, educational institutions and stakeholders in advancing quality assurance in higher education. Such initiatives not only enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of institutions, but also contribute to the overall development of the education sector in Namibia.