By Thabo Mosia
The Council on Higher Education (CHE) has issued a Good Practice Guide on Honorary Degrees and Professorships, urging South African universities to exercise caution when awarding these honors, particularly to individuals currently holding public or political office. 
The CHE, an independent statutory body responsible for advising the Minister of Higher Education and Training and overseeing quality assurance in the sector, expressed concerns about the misuse of honorary titles and the potential for such practices to undermine the integrity of higher education institutions.
“Honorary degrees are not normally awarded to serving politicians or government officials or anyone currently holding public or political office,” the guide states. However, it allows for exceptions if an institution provides clear justification and has policies that explicitly permit such awards under defined conditions.
The guide also highlights that most universities consider current employees, affiliates, council members, and individuals in public or political office ineligible for honorary degrees. This stance aims to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain the credibility of academic honors.
A significant concern raised by the CHE is the lack of clarity and consistency in the criteria for awarding honorary degrees and professorships, as well as the use of associated titles. The guide notes that while many universities inform recipients about how to use honorary titles, there is division over whether honorary professors may publicly use the title “Professor” outside the awarding institution’s context.
The proliferation of various professorial titles—such as Distinguished or Senior Professor, Extraordinary Professor, Visiting Professor, Professor Emeritus, Professor of Practice, and Adjunct Professor—has led to inconsistencies and public confusion. The CHE warns that such variations can create public dissatisfaction and allow unscrupulous entities to exploit the system.
To address these issues, the CHE recommends that higher education institutions conduct thorough background checks on nominees, considering their political, social, and ethical conduct to ensure alignment with institutional values. The guide also advises that honorary titles should not be awarded for commercial advantage, political leverage, or institutional self-aggrandizement, as such practices can devalue the institution and its degrees.
The CHE emphasizes that honorary degrees should be revoked if recipients are found guilty of criminal misconduct, unethical behavior, or hold views contrary to the awarding institution’s principles. The guide calls for clear policies and consistent practices to uphold the integrity of honorary awards.
This initiative follows concerns about unaccredited institutions awarding honorary doctorates in South Africa. The South African Association of PhDs (SAAPhDs) has raised alarms over the proliferation of such practices, noting that some entities exploit the desire for titles without proper accreditation. 
In April 2024, former Higher Education and Training Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande condemned the actions of Trinity International Bible University, which had been awarding honorary doctorates to South African celebrities without being a registered private higher education institution. 
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