The International University of East Africa (IUEA) has finally been granted a charter by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) after 11 years of operation.
In a letter addressed to the IUEA Vice-chancellor, Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa, on September 7th, NCHE stated that IUEA was finally granted a charter and that IUEA has been tasked to pay a total of UGX 15,000,000 as statutory license fee.
A Charter is the highest license an institution of higher learning can attain from the regulators. It can be granted only by the Head of State on the evidence that the university meets the requirements and standards of academic excellence set by the Uganda National Council for Higher Education and the Ministry of Education.
Furthermore, according to section 103(a) of the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act of 2001 as amended; a chartered university means a university that is comparable to a public university.
Uganda has more than 60 universities, of which about nine are public – financed by the government, and about 52 are private universities and other tertiary degree awarding institutions. Of the private universities, only a handful, IUEA among them, have been chartered.
For any private university, getting a charter means that the institution has sufficiently demonstrated its ability to provide an environment that supports and nurtures quality education. Over the years, IUEA has consistently demonstrated its academic and technological prowess.
The IUEA fraternity was overwhelmed by the news of its charter; students, staff, management and parents alike.
In a letter addressed to the students and staff of IUEA, the Vice chancellor, Prof. Emeka Akaezuwa, sent a congratulatory message stating the achievements of the institution over the years.
“Your university, IUEA, has been approved for grant of a charter by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE)! The value of your degree has skyrocketed. Congratulations to you,” Prof. Emeka announced.