Universities should guard their credibility

Local universities have become a laughing stock because of leadership wrangles and perennial strikes. What should have been citadels of intellectualism and innovation have been turned into havens of tribalism and ineptitude. It is no longer a secret that some universities are awarding individuals with degrees that they have not earned.

A number of public servants hold fake degrees, mostly obtained from the black market, merely to facilitate promotions at work.

Government agencies and state corporations have been verifying the academic certificates of employees, especially those recruited since 2012. There was a warning that government workers found to have presented fake certificates for recruitment or promotion were to be dismissed from service.

But what has been the subject of debate is a decision by a university to award a Kenyan politician of doubtful character an honorary degree. In academia, an honorary degree recognises an individual’s contributions to society, specific schools and the world at large. People who receive such degrees are typically those who make profound impacts on healthcare, economics, entertainment, politics, business, medicine and science.

Usually, presidents of countries, celebrities, scientists and lawyers receive honorary degrees in recognition of their impactful contributions to the world. One may earn an honorary master’s degree or an honorary doctoral degree, such as an honorary education degree.

 The degree awarded to the politician was issued by little-known Northwestern Christian University, which last year was flagged by the education regulator for offering an unaccredited course.

The Commission for University Education in June last year cautioned the public against enrolling for courses at the school, alongside 13 others, noting that it was not accredited to offer a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology.

The country has witnessed cases in which politicians attend graduations and insist on wearing academic regalia that does not reflect their educational achievements.

 This was a clear case in which institutions of higher learning are being used to validate questionable politicians. A number of church leaders also claim to have doctorates that they never read for.

While individuals might desire to have reputations around academic papers, it remains the responsibility of universities to protect their credibility.