Harmonisation challenges and opportunities in Zimbabwe’s higher education sector: A case of Zimbabwe Credit Accumulation and Transfer System, (ZIMCATS).
- May 20, 2022
- Posted by: rsispostadmin
- Categories: IJRISS, Social Science
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue IV, April 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Munikwa Simbarashe1, Hurombo Brighton2,
1Senior Lecturer Department of Quality Assurance, Chinhoyi University of Technology
2Senior Lecturer Department of Recreation and Travel, Chinhoyi University of Technology
ABSTRACT
The study sought to explore the challenges and opportunities Zimbabwe’s higher education sector faces as it seeks to harmonise education provision focussing on the ZIMCATS initiative. The study employed the qualitative research approach hinged on the case study research design. An open ended questionnaire and an interview guide were enlisted for data collection. Purposive sampling was employed to solicit for the views on 10 quality assurance practitioners. All the participants completed an emailed questionnaire and five were selected to participate in interviews basing on their experience in quality assurance practice. Data was code, categorised and reviewed into emerging themes. The study established the following challenges for harmonisation of Zimbabwe’s higher education: lack of quality assurance structures in some universities; lack of a common minimum body of knowledge for degree programs; limited ZIMCATS orientation time to universities; congested and competing Higher Education imperatives; resistance by some institutions; conflict of interest between ZIMCHE and Universities’ leadership and limited scope of the ZIMCATS. The study also established that Zimbabwe’s Higher Education sector should take advantage of the following opportunities: alignment of ZIMCATS with the regional and international CATS like SADC CATS and Africa’s Tuning initiatives, providing for vertical progression of students from colleges to universities and providing for lifelong learning opportunities. The study recommends that quality assurance be institutionalised in universities. A level platform for universities to implement the harmonisation goals should be developed. Capacity building on ZIMCATS should be an ongoing strategy. ZIMCATS should also be broadened as to include Dphil and PhD credits.
Keywords: Credit Accumulation and Transfer System, harmonisation, mobility and Universities, Higher Education, internationalisation, harmonisation
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Reforming higher education for harmonisation is at the centre of current debates globally as there is a growing demand for comparability and compatibility between the educational programmes of different universities, nationally, regionally and internationally, (Onana et al., 2014 and Ngara, 2017).
