Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education ZIMCHE

Overview

The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) is the national regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the quality and standards of higher education in Zimbabwe. Established in 2006 under the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27), ZIMCHE's mandate includes accrediting institutions and programs, setting quality assurance standards and advising the government on higher education policy. Its mission is to harmonize and enhance the quality of the higher education system to support Zimbabwe's industrialization and modernization goals .

History and Legal Framework

ZIMCHE was created through the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27), which was promulgated in 2006. This Act provides the legal foundation for ZIMCHE's operations, including the registration and accreditation of higher education institutions, the establishment of quality assurance systems and the development of national higher education policies .

Mission, Vision and Objectives Role in Higher Education

Mission: ZIMCHE aims to harness the synergies of a harmonized, quality-assured Zimbabwean higher education system that produces graduates equipped to contribute to the rapid industrialization and modernization of the country .

Vision: By 2030, ZIMCHE aspires to be a locally and internationally acclaimed higher education quality assurance and regulatory authority.

Objectives: ZIMCHE's objectives include:

• Accrediting institutions and programs to ensure quality education.
• Developing and recommending quality assurance standards for higher education.
• Advising the government on higher education policies and funding.
• Promoting equity in access to higher education.
• Facilitating international cooperation and exchanges in higher education.
• Assessing foreign qualifications to ensure their equivalence to national standards.

Governance, Structure and Independence

ZIMCHE is governed by a Council appointed by the Minister responsible for higher education. Council members serve three-year terms and are selected based on their expertise and experience in higher education and research. The Council provides policy direction and oversight to ensure that ZIMCHE's functions are discharged according to the highest professional standards .

The Secretariat, headed by a Chief Executive Officer, manages the day-to-day operations of ZIMCHE. The Secretariat comprises approximately 40 staff members, including academics and specialists, who are committed to upholding the expectations of higher education institutions in Zimbabwe .

ZIMCHE operates independently, ensuring that its regulatory functions are free from external influence, thereby maintaining the integrity and credibility of the higher education system in Zimbabwe.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation Role in Higher Education

ZIMCHE plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of higher education in Zimbabwe through its accreditation and quality assurance processes. These include:

• Institutional Accreditation: Evaluating and accrediting higher education institutions to ensure they meet established standards.
• Program Accreditation: Assessing academic programs to ensure they are of high quality and relevant to national development needs.
• Qualification Assessment: Evaluating foreign qualifications to determine their equivalence to Zimbabwean standards .
• Quality Assurance Standards: Developing and recommending standards for teaching, examinations, academic qualifications and research in higher education institutions .

These functions are designed to ensure that higher education institutions in Zimbabwe provide quality education that meets national and international standards.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

ZIMCHE actively engages in international cooperation to enhance the quality of higher education in Zimbabwe. Notably, between 2017 and 2020, ZIMCHE collaborated with the University of Nottingham under the UNESCO Chair in Internationalisation of Higher Education to develop a national policy framework for the internationalization of higher education in Zimbabwe. This initiative aimed to align Zimbabwe's higher education system with global trends and best practices .

Through such partnerships, ZIMCHE fosters global exchanges and ensures that Zimbabwean higher education institutions are integrated into the international academic community.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

ZIMCHE's efforts are instrumental in shaping the future of higher education in Zimbabwe. By setting and enforcing quality standards, accrediting institutions and programs and advising the government on policy, ZIMCHE ensures that the higher education system produces graduates who are well-equipped to contribute to the country's development goals. Its focus on quality assurance and international cooperation positions Zimbabwe's higher education sector to respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Summary

The Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) is the national regulatory body established in 2006 under the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27). Its mission is to harmonize and enhance the quality of the higher education system in Zimbabwe to support the country's industrialization and modernization. ZIMCHE's functions include accrediting institutions and programs, developing quality assurance standards, advising the government on higher education policy, promoting equity in access, facilitating international cooperation and assessing foreign qualifications. Governed by a Council appointed by the Minister responsible for higher education, ZIMCHE operates independently to maintain the integrity and credibility of the higher education system in Zimbabwe.

FAQs

1. What is ZIMCHE?
   ZIMCHE is the national regulatory authority responsible for overseeing the quality and standards of higher education in Zimbabwe.
2. When was ZIMCHE established?
   ZIMCHE was established in 2006 under the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act (Chapter 25:27).
3. What are ZIMCHE's main functions?
   ZIMCHE's main functions include accrediting higher education institutions and programs, developing quality assurance standards, advising the government on higher education policy, promoting equity in access, facilitating international cooperation and assessing foreign qualifications.
4. How does ZIMCHE contribute to quality assurance?
   ZIMCHE contributes to quality assurance by setting and enforcing standards for teaching, examinations, academic qualifications and research in higher education institutions.
5. Is ZIMCHE involved in international cooperation?
   Yes, ZIMCHE engages in international cooperation to enhance the quality of higher education in Zimbabwe, including collaborations with institutions like the University of Nottingham.

Organization Name

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education

Acronym

ZIMCHE

Year of Establishment

1/01/2006

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

21 J.M. Nkomo Road, Hatfield
Harare
Harare Zimbabwe

Phone

+263 (4) 571 163

Fax

+263 (4) 274 464

n.a.

Official Social Media Channels

Facebook

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education's Facebook page

X (Twitter)

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education's X page

LinkedIn

Not available

YouTube

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education's YouTube channel

Instagram

Not available

Wikipedia Article

Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education's Wikipedia article

Unlock your University's potential: spotlight your Institution on UniRank for leads, local recognition and branding. Enquiry now to feature your University here.

Explore other Zimbabwean higher education-related organizations and authorities.

Find top-ranked Universities in Zimbabwe.

Search for courses and scholarships with the uniRank World Universities Search Engine.