Atlantic international and training company review

The move by Rwanda’s Higher Education Council (HEC) to withdraw recognition for PhD degrees obtained from the United States-based Atlantic International University (AIU) because the programmes have allegedly not been accredited has angered the public and the academic sector, in particular.

The decision followed the arrest of Dr Egide Igabe by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau over allegedly forging academic documents he reportedly obtained from AIU. Igabe is a lecturer who has taught at the University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies and the University of Kigali.

He was arrested on 7 January and his dossier has been forwarded for prosecution, according to the investigation bureau.

“After a thorough analysis and verification of the accreditation status of the ‘Atlantic International University’ the HEC found that this institution is not accredited in the US by the agency in charge of the accreditation of higher learning,” reads the statement from the council.

“Although some graduates managed to get equivalences [recognition] of their degrees issued by the ‘Atlantic International University’ based on the above information, all equivalences issued to graduates from ‘Atlantic International University’ were withdrawn,” it added.

The decision affects all Rwandans who have graduated from the university over time. Reportedly, a substantial number of university lecturers and civil servants hold PhD degrees from Atlantic International University.

Reacting to the decision, the Atlantic International University said on Twitter that it is a recognised university that issues authentic degrees.

“Atlantic International University hereby confirms Dr Egide Igabe is a graduate of our PhD program. This fact is verified by the permanent records held at AIU’s Office of the registrar,” AIU said on Twitter.

The university has accreditation from the Accreditation Service for International Schools Colleges and Universities, or ASIC, a United-Kingdom-based independent international educational agency.

The agency is an independent, government-approved accreditation body specialising in the accreditation of schools, colleges, universities, training organisations and online and distance education providers, both in the UK and elsewhere, according to online information.

The Higher Education Council in Rwanda has, however, dismissed the accreditation, stressing that the accrediting agency is not a government agency in charge of accreditation in the UK or elsewhere.

Decision contested

Academia and individuals have protested the decision, saying it was unfair for the Higher Education Council to withdraw the equivalent documents it had accredited previously.

Questions have also been raised about whether a leadership change and related internal difficulties have affected the council’s work.

“It was so surprising to learn that our degrees were not accepted in Rwanda and that the equivalent documents issued by HEC are to be withdrawn,” said one of the affected graduates, who asked to remain anonymous, and who is currently working in the public service.

“I enrolled in the university after verifying its authenticity and have never heard any issue until the recent decision was taken.

“We hope that negotiations will go on between the university and the Higher Education Council as the university says it is internationally recognised,” he added.

According to Dr Callixte Kabera, the vice-chancellor of the University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies, who also doubles as the President of Rwanda’s Private Universities’ Association, says: “The decision is surprising as affected people have been using the equivalence issued by HEC for years and are employed as lecturers at universities or in other public institutions.

“The decision would have a serious impact on universities whose staff went to the Atlantic International University,” said Kabera, who knows a staff member affected by the decision.

“We suspect that the issue is the difference in the accreditation systems,” Kabera added. In Rwanda public and private operators have to be accredited in Rwanda, whereas the provider in question has been accredited in the UK.

Going forward, Kabera believes that, while it is the responsibility of the students to verify whether the university is internationally accredited, the Higher Education Council should collaborate with other accrediting institutions and inform the students about reliable institutions.

“That should help students who seek enrolment in universities abroad to avoid spending time and money and end up not getting equivalent documents or risk having their academic documents withdrawn,” he said.

The council also called for vigilance whenever students seek admission to different universities, especially those offering online courses.

“HEC would like to advise all Rwandans wishing to further their studies to always be more cautious while registering with any higher learning institution, especially those claiming to offer their teaching online,” HEC’s statement said.

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Atlantic International University is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC).

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