Source: Harare mayor snubs ‘bogus’ degree – DailyNews Live
Farayi Machamire 10 May 2017
HARARE – Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni has turned down an honorary
doctorate degree from a Dubai-based institute, arguing he would rather
earn it through his own academic research.
He said the rate at which honorary degrees were being conferred on
influential Zimbabweans was now worrying.
“I knew my turn would surely come,” he said in jest.
Manyenyeni said he was not aware of the little-known institution – Dubai
Leadership Summit – which had sent him a letter asking him to travel to
the United Arab Emirates to receive the doctorate. This comes as
title-seeking Zimbabweans have been warned against acquiring educational
qualifications from dubious local and international institutions, as they
will not be recognised in the country.
Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo has said government
will soon introduce a law to punish people receiving degrees from
unaccredited institutions.
“Very soon it will be a criminal offence in Zimbabwe to offer, seek or
receive a fake degree or to get one from an unaccredited organisation!”
Moyo tweeted.
He said the proposed law would apply retrospectively, which means several
high-ranking government officials, including ministers, could be in soup
for possessing fake degrees.
Cabinet has since approved the white paper for the Higher and Tertiary
Education, Science and Technology Development Bill, 2017.
Manyenyeni said he had been advised that he would “pay” to attend the
conference, where the doctorate would be conferred.
“I spent the last few years laughing when people were receiving these
dubious degrees, so I will not accept it now,” he said.
“An honorary degree is an honour when it’s coming out of a proper
institution, it is earned out of service but these degrees are a mockery
to Zimbabwe.”
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