Most of the programs at Fiji’s three main tertiary institutions haven’t been accredited by the Fiji Higher Education Commission.

They cover everything from Certificate level courses Masters and Doctorates reaching about 1300 programs.

Commission’s Executive Chairman Dr Richard Wah says the committee for the Accreditation of University Qualifications- an independent body within the Commission has a huge backlog to deal with.

However Dr Wah adds it’s quality won’t be compromised for the sake of speedy approvals of more than one thousand courses.

“This accreditation process especially for the type that the education ministry is talking about – we have 4 people on the panel, one from the uni that provides the qualification, 1 from the alternate uni, 1 from the industry and 1 from outside fiji., this are 4 people we have to get together to accredit any one program. so 1,300 times we have to do this.”

At it’s first meeting last week, the Committee rejected five programs which were below par, only one ticked all the boxes.

The commission wants to get consultants in February to fast track programs; not to compromise quality, but speed up the accreditation process.

Dr Wah says the Commission is working with employers and the Education Ministry to identify programs that don’t work so that universities can make necessary changes.