Functions of the Commission

The Commission shall perform the following functions:

general;

advisory;

co-ordinating;

regulatory;

accreditation; and

any other function necessary for the attainment of the objects of the Commission.

General functions of the Commission

The Commission shall, in the performance of the general functions, ensure that tertiary education institutions

apply the highest quality standards and relevance of teaching, learning and research programmes and outcomes;

promote equitable and inclusive access to all tertiary education programmes and services;

promote transparent governance and best practices, including reporting and checks and balances to ensure full accountability; (d) promote a culture of independent, life-long learning and of scientific and technological inquiry among staff, students and the wider society;

(e) promote affirmative action for persons with disabilities and other marginalised and disadvantaged groups; and (f) promote non-discrimination policies and practices.

Advisory functions of the Commission

The advisory functions of the Commission include

advise the Minister on the establishment and development of tertiary education institutions in the country;

provide advice and guidance on the general direction of development, orientation and mission of public and private tertiary education institutions in line with national development goals and objectives and having regard to an optimally diversified and differentiated tertiary education system which shall in particular cover

the programmes to be pursued by tertiary education institutions with regard to the relevance of the programmes to national development;

the development and location of tertiary education institutions; and

the establishment of new academic units in tertiary education institutions;

enquire into the financial needs of public tertiary education institutions and advise the Minister accordingly;

recommend to the Minister for the purposes of the preparation of the annual national education budget

(i) block allocation of funds towards running costs, and (ii) grants towards capital expenditure, of each public tertiary education institution, indicating how the allocations are to be disbursed;

(e) advise a public tertiary education institution on the

appropriate measures to generate additional funds for the public tertiary institution; and

application for and acceptance of local and foreign assistance in accordance with Government policy; (f) recommend standards and norms on governance, financing, academic programmes, staff costs, accommodation and time utilisation, for the approval of the Minister; and (g) advise on funding and support for needy students.

The Commission shall advise the President, through the Minister, on the approval and grant of a Charter to public and private tertiary education institutions in the country,

The Commission shall advise the Government on the structure of tertiary education system taking into account the need for diversification and differentiation to meet the demands of sustainable national development.

Co-ordinating functions of the Commission

The co-ordinating functions of the Commission include to

act as an agency for channelling external assistance and funding to public tertiary education institutions;

collate, analyse and publish information on tertiary education in the country;

co-ordinate the planning of the tertiary education system in line with manpower needs and national development goals;

create a platform for regular interaction between industry and academia; and

provide a hub for mutually beneficial interaction and the articulation of national interest within the tertiary education system.

Regulatory functions of the Commission

The regulatory functions of the Commission include to

ensure the implementation of approved regulations and national standards and norms with respect to tertiary education institutions;

approve the establishment of tertiary education institutions;

regulate the structure of tertiary education in the country;

develop policies and regulations to advance the conduct of research and innovation in public tertiary education institutions;

develop norms for the allocation of grants to drive tertiary education policy based on national development priorities; (f) undertake or cause to be undertaken, periodic or ad-hoc visitations, regular inspections, monitoring and evaluation of tertiary education institutions to ensure compliance with the provisions of this Act or Regulations made under this Act;

set-up and operate a tertiary education institution information management system to enable real-time access to decision support data of all tertiary education institutions;

develop and implement policy on criteria or requirements for admission to tertiary education institutions in the country;

receive annual reports from tertiary education institutions three months after the end of each academic year;

(i) approve the establishment of new academic units in tertiary education institutions being mindful of cost effectiveness and alignment with institutional mission and mandates and national development objectives;

(k) establish links with relevant national and international stakeholders necessary for the attainment of the objects of the Commission;

(I) verify the authenticity of all certificates, diplomas and degrees upon request; and

(m) make recommendations to the Minister to ensure discipline in tertiary education institutions.

Accreditation functions of the Commission

The Commission is responsible for the accreditation of

public and private tertiary education institutions; and

programmes of public and private tertiary education institutions.

Without limiting subsection (l), the Commission shall determine (a) the requirements for the maintenance of standards of physical infrastructure, governance systems, human resources and financial sustainability in the tertiary education sector;

the programmes and requirements for the efficient and effective operation of a tertiary education institution and maintenance of acceptable levels of academic or professional standards in the institution; and

the levels of all qualifications awarded by recognised or accredited institutions including professional institutions in the country or elsewhere.