City Businessman Dr Sudhir Ruparelia who is also the proprietor of Victoria University Kampala on Friday officially received the University’s Charter from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).

The handover function was held at the NCHE head offices led by the Executive Director Prof Mary Okwakol.

The charter, which is the highest license from the regulator of institutions of higher learning, is granted by Uganda’s head of state after thorough approval from NCHE to ascertain that the institution meets the required level of teaching.

On Tuesday this week, Victoria University formally received a letter of confirmation from NCHE ascertaining that President Museveni has approved and granted them a Charter as of July 31, 2022.

According to the Universities and other Tertiary Institutions Act (2001), a charter is “granted by the President as evidence that the university meets the requirements and standards of academic excellence set by the NCHE.” Furthermore, a “chartered university,” as defined in section 103(a) of the same Act 2001 as amended, is a university comparable to a public university.”

Impact of the Charter on Victoria University

The charter will be a guide to the establishment, control, management and administration of Victoria University, granting them the right to self-audit, benchmark, award PhD degrees and ensure that the university runs in perpetuity.

Under the new arrangement, Victoria University’s academic awards can now be recognized by all universities and institutions around the world—including upgrading in academic studies.

The Charter also allows Victoria University to begin awarding all degrees, including Bachelors, Masters, Doctorates, and Honorary Degrees.

What a Charter is and how it is granted?

A charter is granted to universities that possess a provisional license for a minimum of three years and would have satisfied all the conditions set during the time of licensing.

For any institution to be accredited the regulator (NCHE) must be satisfied after a series of inspections and visitations that the institution concerned has adequate physical and financial resources as well as structures of governance to deliver quality education.