President and Founder of the Association of Private Universities in Africa, Prof. Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo, has described as dangerous the current trend of universities selling certificates in some African countries.
He said this at the 8th Convocation of IHEARIS University, Lome, Republic of Togo. Gwarzo said although university education is now a huge business, founders of private universities in Africa must strive to improve the quality and develop university education in the continent.
“It is sad and worrisome to experience this dangerous trend of having parents and students collaborating in the culture of buying certificates in some of the private universities to which at the end, the student cannot defend the certificates,” Gwarzo said.
“Although the irregularities can equally be found in some public universities which is becoming a general problem. That is why the union will have to work closely with governments at all Levels to ensure all the challenges are addressed and getting rid of.”
Gwarzo who is the founder of Maryam Abacha American University (MAAUN) advised IHERIS University to do more and more towards sustaining English programs in Togo.
He also adviced the president of Benin republic not to ban private universities due to irregularities, adding that such action is against UNESCO law, which he said is akin to killing millions of people.
Gwarzo said MAAUN’s has achieved a track record of successes, which he said was a result of the “university’s leadership quality, proper management, sustained innovations, commitments, prudence, consistency, hard work, and accountability.”
He said the university is” doing its very best not to allow irregularities to interfere” in it operation.
Gwarzo urged private universities across Africa to be very bold to avoid irregularities in the university system. He also urged the graduating students to be more creative and innovative for them to be more productive in society.
“I founded MAAUN at the age of 29 years old and the youngest president of a private university in all Sub-Saharan Africa. Today MAAUN has good reputations because of quality assurance in addition to academic approvals from both the American, French, U.K Governments, United Nations,” he said.
The event held on October 30, 2021, was graced by other dignitaries including registrar and chairman advisory council of the university IHERIS Registrar and Chairman Advisory Council Dr Muhammad Adamu Wakili.
