Malawi’s National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) has declared qualifications from Cypress International Institute University, Jerusalem University, and other unaccredited institutions null and void.
NCHE’s board chairperson, Dr. Beatrice Munthali, emphasized the importance of verifying academic qualifications with the council to avoid fake credentials.
Dr. Munthali’s statement urged employers in Malawi to confirm the validity of degrees held by prospective and current employees to ensure credibility in the workforce.
In January this year, the Lilongwe Principal Resident Magistrate Court convicted and fined diploma mill chief Tuweh Gadama for operating a university illegally.
The court fined Gadama K3.4 million.
According to court documents, Gadama was operating universities called Cyprus Institute and Jerusalem University and offering higher education qualifications without any authority from NCHE.
In his ruling, Principal Resident Magistrate Rodrick Michongwe said Gadama, 55, has fooled many people, adding that his conduct has the potential to lower education standards in the country.
