The 70th session of the National Commission for the Evaluation of Training Domains offered Abroad took place at the Higher Teachers' Training College (ENS) Yaounde yesterday December 23.

Speaking at the opening, the Secretary General in the Ministry of Higher Education, Professor Horace Ngomo Manga, called on members to treat each file presented with objectivity, open mindedness and transparency.

A total of 273 certificates from 26 countries in Africa and Europe were examined by members of the committee. Out of that number 269 certificates got equivalence, four fake certificates were identified and two did not meet the conditions for equivalence. The four fake certificates were Baccalauréate certificates, two from Chad and two from Mali. This year's session was particular in that a majority of the certificates were doctorate degrees in medicine and pharmacy from Mali.

The Sub-Director of equivalence in the Ministry of Higher Education, Marthe Njebakal said the session was a sigh of relief to the doctors as the equivalence opened the door for them to join the National Oder of Medicine. One international school based in Cameroon was also recognised and has been authorised to train public servants.

Presided at by the Ministry of Higher Education and assisted by the Ministry of Public Service and Administrative Reforms, the inter-ministerial commission is in charge of proposing equivalences to be established for diplomas/certificates obtained abroad or within the country.

It also studies and proposes the recognition of foreign or international schools whose certificates are likely to pave the way for integration into the Cameroon Public Service in conformity with the provisions of the texts in force governing reclassification or advancement within the various corps of the Civil Service.