Liberia: Commission on Higher Education Warns Public against BlueCrest University’s Master’s Degree Program
MONROVIA – The National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) says it has not certified BlueCrest University College in Liberia to offer master’s degree courses as their application is still being reviewed.
According to the NCHE, it has reached their attention that the university has started enrolling students into master’s degree programs and has advised the administration to desist.
“…any person who enrolls into this program is doing so at his or her own risk. Let it be known that the BlueCrest University College applied to the NCHE for elevation of status to offer a master’s degree in Information Technology. The BlueCrest University College’s proposed program was assessed by the NCHE,” the Commission indicated in a statement.
According to the statement, recommendations were made by the NCHE for the BlueCrest University College to fulfill in order to be granted the status of accreditation, before the university college commences the master’s degree program in Information Technology.
“Up-to-date the BlueCrest University College has not fulfilled the conditions and recommendations proffered by the NCHE for its program accreditation at the graduate level. Consequently, the failure of BlueCrest University College to fulfill all the prescribed NCHE requirements before commencing the proposed graduate program is a gross violation of the NCHE’s mandate and policy that regulate higher education institutions within the Republic of Liberia.”
According to the Commission on Higher Education, advertising and enrolling students for graduate studies without the tacit approval is a flagrant violation.
The NCHE was established as an autonomous agency of the Government of Liberia to serve as the arm of Government, and charged with the regulation and supervision of higher education activities in the country.
The Legislative Act of the Commission authorizes the Commission to formulate broad policy guidelines for the establishment of institutions of higher education in Liberia, and to coordinate and serve as the principal liaison between institutions of learning commencing from the Post-Secondary level; monitor, evaluate, and accredit all institutions of higher learning; approve new and existing programs of higher education for funding, after having satisfied itself of their needs for national development; and, review existing programs at higher education institutions to establish priority programs of study based on national needs.