Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act
Chapter 25:27
- Commenced on 1 October 2006
- [This is the version of this document at 31 December 2016 and includes any amendments published up to 31 December 2017.]
- [Note: This version of the Act was revised and consolidated by the Law Development Commission of Zimbabwe]
Part I – Preliminary
1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education Act, [Chapter 25:27].2. Interpretation
In this Act—“accreditation” means the process of recognition of an institution of higher education’s programmes in accordance with section 18;“accreditation certificate” means a certificate issued in terms of section 18;“chairperson” means the chairperson of the Council appointed in terms of section 7(1)(a);“Chief Executive Officer” means the Chief Executive Officer of the Council appointed in terms of section 9(1)(a);“co-opted member” refers to a member co-opted to the Council in terms of section 7(1)(g);“Council” means the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education;“foreign institution of higher education” means an institution whose head office is located outside Zimbabwe;“higher education” means education provided by institutions of higher education;“institution of higher education” or “institution” means—(a)a technical or polytechnic college offering degrees; or(b)a public or private university or university college and its associate or affiliate institutions, or(c)an arm of a foreign institution of higher education that awards degrees;“institutional quality assurance standards” and “institutional quality assurance system” means the standards and system referred to in section 6(d);“member” means any member of Council including the chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer of the Council;“Minister” means the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education or any other Minister to whom the President may, from time to time assign the administration of this Act;“National Qualification Framework Register” means the register referred to in paragraph 7 of the Second Schedule;“private institution” means an institution of higher education including a university or university college that is not established by the State;“provisional registration certificate” means a certificate issued in terms of section 11;“public institution” means an institution including a university or university college established by the State;“university college” means an institution of higher education established in terms of this Act, which provides teaching up to degree standard and which is affiliated to a university.Part II – Establishment of the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education
3. Establishment of Council
There is hereby established a council to be known as the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education which shall be a body corporate, capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name and, subject to this Act, of performing all such acts as a body corporate may by law perform.4. Seal of Council
5. Objects and powers of Council
6. Functions of Council
Without prejudice to the generality of section 5, the functions of the Council shall be—7. Membership of Council
8. Responsibilities of the Minister
9. The Secretariat
Part III – Registration of private institutions of higher education
10. Registration of private institutions
11. Provisional and final registration of private institutions
12. Provisions to be contained in charters of private institutions
Every charter of a private institution of higher education shall make provision for the following matters—13. Amendment of charters of private institutions
14. Revocation of charters of private institutions
Part IV – Public institutions of higher education
15. Establishment of public institutions
The Council may advise the Minister, either at his or her request or on its own initiative, on the establishment of a public institution.16. Declaration of institutions of higher education
The Minister may, with the advice of the Council and by notice in the Gazette , declare any—17. Closure or merger of public institutions of higher education
Part V – Institutional standards and accreditation
18. Publication of institutional quality assurance standards and evaluation of institutions
19. Basis of accreditation
20. Effect of accreditation
The qualifications awarded in respect of programmes of instruction offered by an accredited institution of higher education shall be recognised as comparable and of equivalent merit to similar qualification awarded in respect of programmes offered by all other accredited institutions in Zimbabwe.21. Reports of institutions to Council
Part VI – Financial provisions
22. Funds of Council
The funds of the Council shall consist of—23. Investment of monies not immediately required by Council
Any funds of the Council not immediately required by the Council may be invested in such a manner as the Council in consultation with the Minister, may approve.24. Financial year
The financial year of the Council shall be a period of twelve months ending on the 31st December in each year.25. Accounts of Council
26. Audit of Council accounts
27. Annual report
Part VII – General
28. Immunity
No action, suit or other proceedings shall lie against the Council or a member of Council or a member of the staff of the Council acting in the ordinary course of his or her employment in relation to any action taken in good faith by the Council:Provided that this section shall not be construed so as to prevent any person from recovering compensation for any loss or damage sustained by him or her which was caused by negligence or fraud.29. Repeal of Cap. 25:08 and savings
30. Regulations
31. Transitional provisions
History of this document
31 December 2016 this version
Consolidation
01 October 2006
Commenced