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Johnathan Paoli
THE Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has confirmed that the Trinity International Bible University, which recently awarded actor Sello Maake kaNcube an honorary doctorate, is not a registered private higher education institution.
In a statement released on Sunday, Higher Education spokesperson Veli Mbele said the university is not registered and was not authorised to offer any qualifications, including honorary degrees.
The Department confirmed that it became aware of the irregularities after Maake kaNcube posted pictures on his social media, celebrating his qualification from the university.
The university has previously awarded qualifications to prominent figures including gospel singer Winnie Mashaba and businesswoman Shawn Mkhize.
Mbele said that the department had warned the institution before about continuing to operate illegally and for the need to regularise its operations.
In addition, the spokesperson said that the department wrote to the Council on Higher Education (CHE) for guidance on how honorary qualifications should be offered and by who.
Mbele said the department had nothing against the university or the celebrities honoured, but that it was concerned by the persistent disregard for the departmental regulations by the university management.
He said that the department was considering more comprehensive and decisive action against the university and all other individuals and institutions who continued to act illegally.
Mbele said that while it was willing to engage with the institutions and the celebrities who have been awarded degrees, standards had to be maintained.
“As the Department of Higher Education and Training, we have a legal responsibility to protect the integrity of our qualifications and that of our post school education and training system,” he said.
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