The University of Bamenda (UBa) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shalom Higher Education Institute (SHEI) to begin a formal academic mentorship that will enable the private institution to offer professionally supervised higher education programs.
The agreement was signed on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Restaurant Hall of the University of Bamenda in Bambili. Under the partnership, UBa will provide academic oversight, validate programs, and ensure quality assurance in line with the Ministry of Higher Education's requirements for private higher education institutions.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bamenda, Prof. Theresia Nkou Akenji, described the MoU as the first stage in a rigorous mentorship process.
She explained that before the agreement was signed, Shalom Higher Education Institute had applied for mentorship, after which the Ministry of Higher Education authorized the University of Bamenda to inspect the institution and assess its readiness to train students.
"The memorandum signifies that the university visited the institution and confirmed that it meets the requirements to train students," she said.
Prof. Akenji noted that the next phase will involve the submission and review of SHEI's academic programs before a Specific Partnership Agreement (SPA) is signed. Only then will the institution be authorized to admit students into the approved programs.
She attributed the growing number of mentorship requests to the University of Bamenda's reputation for professional education.
"The University of Bamenda has the highest number of professional schools in the country and is recognized for producing well-trained graduates. That is why institutions from across Cameroon continue to seek our mentorship," she said.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the partnership extends beyond supervision, with UBa involving partner institutions in pedagogic seminars, workshops, and staff development programs to strengthen teaching quality and ensure graduates acquire skills that respond to Cameroon's and Africa's development needs.
She also explained that, alongside new MoUs, the university signed extended and revised Specific Partnership Agreements with institutions already under its mentorship. These agreements either approve additional programs or realign existing courses to comply with national academic regulations.
For Shalom Higher Education Institute, the signing marks the conclusion of one assessment phase and the beginning of another.
Founder and Director of SHEI, Dr. Shei Claude Nfor, said the institution had undergone several inspection visits to verify its infrastructure, staffing, and training capacity before qualifying for the mentorship agreement. "The University of Bamenda will now mentor our teaching staff and students to ensure educational standards are maintained," he said.
Dr. Nfor added that the partnership would strengthen the credibility of qualifications awarded by the institution while guaranteeing students receive quality education under nationally recognized academic supervision.
He said SHEI has invested in practical learning facilities, including a teaching hospital, a construction company, and partnerships with businesses to provide internship opportunities. "Our focus is hands-on training. We do not want students to study without acquiring practical skills that prepare them for the job market," he said.
The mentorship arrangement forms part of the Ministry of Higher Education's regulatory framework, which requires private higher education institutions to operate under the academic guidance of established state universities. The framework is intended to safeguard academic standards, strengthen institutional quality, and ensure the credibility of professional qualifications awarded in Cameroon.
Laarry Times
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