The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) was established by Act of Parliament (Act No. 26 of 2003) to advise the government on issues related to higher education.
The NCHE has as objects to promote the establishment of a co-ordinated higher education system, the access of students to higher education institutions, and quality assurance in higher education; as well as to advise on the allocation of moneys to public higher education institutions.
Pursuant to the Higher Education Act, the NCHE is responsible for:
- Accrediting, with the concurrence of the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA), programmes of higher education provided at higher education institutions;
- Monitoring the quality assurance mechanisms of higher education institutions;
- Taking measures to promote access of students to higher education institutions;
- Undertaking such research with regard to its objects as it may think necessary or as the Minister of Education may require;
- Advising the Minister of Education of its own accord or at request of the Minister on -
- The structure of the higher education system in general;
- Quality promotion and quality assurance in higher education;
- The allocation of public moneys to higher education institutions;
- The governance of higher education institutions;
- Any other aspect related to higher education; and
- Performing such other functions as may be entrusted to the NCHE by or under this Act.
