The past few weeks have witnessed ongoing saga regarding the recognition of qualications for clearance. This is particularly for political aspirants intending to contest in the forthcoming 2022 presidential and gubernatorial positions in the forthcoming general elections.
The matters have raised growing concern among all stakeholders. The focus has turned to the concerned authorities in particular the electoral management body the Independent Electoral and
Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) and the Commission for University Education (CUE).

Conspicuously the KNAQ has been missing in the whole drama. KNQA was established in 2015, to help coordinate and harmonize education, training, assessment and quality assurance of all qualications awarded in the country; with the view to improving quality and international comparability.

In subsequent analysis the role of KNAQ shall be revisited
The CUE is mandated to undertake recognition and equation of Diplomas, Degrees, Post-graduate Diplomas and Post graduate Certicates conferred or awarded by Foreign Universities and Institutions in accordance with Section 5 (1)
of The Universities Act No. 42 of 2012; Section 5A (2) of The Universities Act No. 42 of 2012, Revised Edition 2016 [2015]; Part XI of The Universities Regulations, 2014 and The Universities Standards and Guidelines, 2014.

The decision to study whether locally or overseas is a major commitment in which many Kenyans families invest millions of shillings in. Notably majority of students relocating overseas for studies are recruited by representatives and agents of the foreign institutions who are based locally.

In the last number of years many Kenyans have lost millions of shillings to unscrupulous representatives / agents. The agencies have purported to represent foreign based institutions. In a number of cases these institutions have turned out to be fake or no-existent. Students have returned to Kenya with certicates from institutions that are not accredited and recognised locally.
There is lack of a proper mechanism as to how information should be disseminated about the opportunities existing outside the country. For a long time local agents collude with international contacts some of who are Kenyans resident abroad. This is the case even when they have no jurisdictions have no locus stand.

The recent decision by the CUE to regulate higher education representatives who assist students proceeding to study abroad is a timely and most welcome move.

According to the Commission Licensing of Student Recruitment Agencies is one of the functions provided in The Universities Act No. 42 of 2012; The Universities Regulations, 2014; Sections 71-15 and The Universities Standards and Guidelines, 2014.
This is to ensure that local agencies recruiting students for foreign universities are duly regulated for the benefit of Kenyans intending to pursue university education in accredited and recognized institutions; and awarded degrees outside Kenya.
The purpose of this is to ascertain valid Student Recruitment Agencies operating in Kenya. In addition CUE will track and keep data of the number of students studying in accredited foreign universities; and the validity of certificates acquired.

The licensing of Student Recruitment Agencies as one of the functions of CUE is aimed at the following outcomes, one streamlining the local agencies for student recruitment into foreign universities, two regulating the agencies for advertising, exhibiting and marketing foreign universities in Kenya, three, regulating foreign universities directly advertising, four exhibiting or recruiting students in Kenya, five ensuring that Kenyan students are recruited and admitted to study in accredited and recognized universities outside the country, and be awarded with valid and recognized certificates and taking appropriate action against Student Recruitment Agencies operating illegally in Kenya.

To regain confidence in qualifications being presented for authentication this is what is required, First, through the representatives ensure that students proceed to institutions already recognised by CUE, Second, ascertain that students meet the minimum requirements for entry into the academic programs that they seek to further studies, third, the CUE should prescribe a code of conduct for accredited agents as this is the accepted practice in most foreign jurisdictions.

Four, require that CUE conducts due diligence by working with their counterparts on overseas based institutions offering programs for Kenyans. Fi h the agents should be held culpable in the event they present students whose documents they know are sixth, CUE should organise stakeholder meetings with all agencies handling student matters

In undertaking this exercise CUE shall rely on the stakeholders in all sectors of the economy in particular the following players. The parent Ministry of Education (MoE), UE, Foreign diplomatic missions accredited to Kenya where students go for further studies, Kenya missions abroad, Parents’ organisations, Student bodies and the media

In conclusion International Education representatives / Agents play a significant role in counselling and referring students to international education providers. This is an important component of the quality assurance of the international education industry. Therefore having agents regulated and provided with training and professional development is to-date information about international education.

Dr Njau Gitu

The writer is an International Education Practitioner.

E-mail: njau.gitu@gmail.com Twitter: @GNjauGitu