This archive report was first published on 5 July 2021.
Commission for University Education (CUE) has issued a stern warning to universities against engaging with professional bodies for the accreditation of courses without the commission's involvement. This move comes after the commission discovered that some professional bodies continue to purport to accredit and approve academic programs in universities despite a court ruling in June 2020 that the mandate of approving and accrediting university courses lies exclusively with the commission.
According to a letter to all vice-chancellors, CUE Chief Executive Officer Mwenda Ntarangwi stated that the commission has come to the knowledge that professional bodies continue to engage universities with little regard for the commission's authority. He warned that any university found engaging with professional bodies for the accreditation of courses without roping in the commission would have the application denied.
Furthermore, universities that are already offering courses approved by professional bodies and not the CUE will have the programs withdrawn. The commission has also reached out to professional bodies that want to be involved in the accreditation and approval of university courses to work with the CUE.
It is worth noting that there are 27 Professional bodies and Associations that operate in the country and regulate the training and conduct of their members. Some have a legal mandate, while others are loose associations representing members of the profession. According to the Kenya National Qualifications Framework Act, if a professional body or a professional association wishes to be involved in education and training leading to an award of qualifications in the country, it needs to co-operate with the relevant External Quality Assurance agencies (ETQA) such as CUE (for University sector), TVETA (for TVET) and ESQAC (for basic education).
