Socialite and bussinessman, Mudiwa Hood; Dilesh Nguwaya and several others were recently awarded Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (DHL) degrees by the International Institute of Philanthropy, the degrees have been nullified by Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE).
In a statement to the press, ZIMCHE stated that, It has come to our attention that the International Institute of Philanthropy is awarding several honorary degrees in violation of section 75(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20), Act 2013 as read with section 10(1) of the Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27), which laws prohibit institutions not registered and accredited by the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) to Offer Degrees.
The ZIMCHE wishes to unequivocally inform all stakeholders in higher education and members of the public that, the International Institute of Philanthropy is not authorised to award degrees in Zimbabwe as it is not a registered higher education institution.
Therefore, the awarding of degrees by the International Institute of Philanthropy is not only a violation of the laws of Zimbabwe, but also undermines the integrity of the entire education system in Zimbabwe.
We take the integrity of the higher education system in Zimbabwe very seriously, and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine it.
Accordingly, the degrees awarded by the International Institute of Philanthropy are not recognised in Zimbabwe.
Members of the public are advised against using titles awarded by unregistered institutions such as the International Institute of Philanthropy.
The International Institute of Philanthropy should forthwith cease all activities that violate the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20), Act 2013, the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27), the Manpower Planning and Development Act (Chapter 28:02) and the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] and any other laws that regulated the education standards especially, the awarding of degrees.
ZIMCHE had advised the International Institute of Philanthropy to publicly withdrawal awarded degrees and inform all recipients accordingly.