Chartered universities to offer certificate and diploma courses, CUE clarifies

Only chartered universities will continue offering diplomas and other academic certificates, the Commission for University Education (CUE) has clarified.

CUE Chief Executive Officer David Some said he was quoted out of context as saying all universities must stop admitting students to diploma and certificate courses.

"What is certain is that no post secondary institutions shall be allowed to admit degree students effective June 30. I never talked about universities," Prof Some said.

All public and private universities can now admit students to diplomas, including postgraduate diplomas and 'other academic certificates', according to the amended Universities Act. The institutions will also admit students to degree courses, including postgraduate degree and honorary degrees.

These are the new changes to the Universities Act 2012 that seek to clarify sections of a Charter.

Section 20 (e) of the Act previously read that a university granted Charter may award degrees, including honorary degrees. Universities can now offer certificate courses as well, under the revised law.

The Standard has however established that the matter has moved to court.

"CUE is strictly supposed to deal with universities. Diploma and certificates programs are a preserve of technical institutions," said Prof Some.

He said Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority is the body charged with overseeing quality of diploma and certificates.

The miscellaneous amendments were passed late last year and assented to by the president.

Education Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi has in the recent past maintained that universities must only 'concentrate in degree courses where research is extensive.'