Programme Accreditation has become the most effective way of assuring quality of academic programmes, thus, also the most effective marketing tool. Higher Education Institutions are all enthusiastic to have their respective programmes accredited.
As such, the NCHE has begun this rigorous process with the aim to give the public reliable information.
The NCHE has requested the two public Higher Education Institutions (the Polytechnic of Namibia and the University of Namibia) to select three academic programmes each, which are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), to undergo the accreditation exercise.
The Polytechnic of Namibia selected the following three programmes:
- Bachelor of Environmental Health Sciences (NQF Level 8);
- Bachelor of Office Management and Technology, (NQF Level 7); and
- Bachelor of Information Technology in Business Computing, (NQF Level 7).
The Accreditation schedule is as follow: 29 September 2014 – 2 October 2014; 6 – 8 October 2014; and 13 – 15 October 2014, respectively.
The University of Namibia opted for the following three programmes:
- Bachelor of Laws Honours (NQF Level 8);
- Bachelor of Science in Metallurgical Engineering Honours (NQF Level 8); and
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Honours (NQF Level 8).
The UNAM tentative Accreditation schedule is as follow: Bachelor of Science in CHEMISTRY 20-22 October 2014; Bachelor of LAW 27-29 October 2014 and Bachelor of METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING 3-5 November 2014.
The NCHE has appointed internationally recognized different subject matter experts for the respective programmes. The experts range from academics, professionals, as well as quality assurance experts, including NCHE Secretariat staff. Students are crucial stakeholders in education, higher education in particular, thus, they also form part of the accreditation panels.
Watch this space for the accreditation status of the respective afore- stated programmes!!!
