The government is set to launch an electronic information system that details the performance of higher education institutions and the academic background of students.

Known as the Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS), the web-based platform provides information about graduates and higher education institutions for government and private institutions. The system can also identify those who do not have valid academic credentials.

Developed by a team of 16 experts from the Technology & Innovation Institute over the past 10 months, the system will be managed by the Higher Education Relevance & Quality Agency. Established in 2003, the agency is in charge of regulatory activities including accreditation and re-accreditation of programmes in higher education institutions.

Reaching its completion stage, the system will provide its manual services in a digital format. The Agency will be tasked with providing accreditation and re-accreditation services and regulating campus expansions, programme expansions and student enrollment size.

After the system becomes operational, the Agency, which recently banned 22 campuses for not having legal business licenses, will pilot the programme by responding to the institution's requests.

The academic credentials of the past 22 years will be available on the database and provide information on the legality of documents, according to Andualem Admassie (PhD), director-general of the Agency.

The system will open only to higher education institutions in a week and will be open to the public within a year.

"After we discuss the measures that will be taken against individuals without real credentials with the government,” said Andualem, "we'll make it available for the general public."

Dawit Asrat (PhD), a lecturer at Bahir Dar University’s College of Education & Behavioural Sciences, says the system will play a significant role in reducing the prevalence of fake documents.

"But, it's too late," he said. "The Agency should open the system soon after making a decision on the fate of the people with false credentials."