CICA International University & Seminary, along with its affiliate institution, CICA International University Technical Centre of Excellence, has strongly refuted what it describes as “false and defamatory” claims made by the Antigua and Barbuda National Accreditation Board (ABNAB) and the Ministry of Education concerning its accreditation status.
In a statement released this weekend, the university rejected the recent public advisory issued by ABNAB, which declared that degrees from CICA and the Atlantic International University are not recognised in Antigua and Barbuda.
CICA argues that the statement was issued “without consultation, verification, or procedural fairness,” and has caused “reputational damage and institutional prejudice.”
The university maintains that it has never sought local accreditation in Antigua and Barbuda, asserting instead that it operates under multiple international accreditations and quality frameworks.
Among them, CICA listed: Recognition by the City & Guilds of London Institute (Centre No. 847894), regulated by Ofqual in the United Kingdom under qualifications listed on the UK National Qualifications Framework (RQF Levels 4–7).
Registration in the State of Florida, USA, under Document No. P13000086535, verified annually under Section 1005.06(1)(f) by the Florida Department of Education.
ISO certification and WES verification, confirming its international equivalency and adherence to global quality assurance standards.
According to CICA, the institution made 21 separate submissions — including 69 supporting documents — to ABNAB between 2021 and 2024, providing transparency and documentation of its operations. The university claims that despite these efforts, no response or request for clarification was received prior to ABNAB’s public notice.
CICA has since referred the matter to its legal counsel for further action, signalling its intent to protect its reputation and challenge the official statements made against it.
The institution reaffirmed its “commitment to educational excellence, faith-based leadership, and global collaboration,” noting that it will continue to operate under internationally recognised standards and frameworks despite the controversy.
Lol he say she say. So who is really right? Is it legit or not
This kind of back-and-forth is worrying. It’s the students who ultimately suffer from institutional disputes.
So who is telling the truth because one says no accreditation and the other says its a lie. There must be a truth
Here is my concern/inquiry: What is the basis for ABNAB to declare that degrees from this University is not accepted in Antigua and Barbuda? Is it because it was seeking Antigua and Barbuda National Accreditation from its Board and that was denied? Is it because the Accreditation board under which it has achieved accreditation is no longer accepted as such by the USA Department of Education? Is it because it does not have Regional Accreditation in the USA?
Here is the thing though: institutions are state approved and as such are legitimately able to grant degrees honored by all other states. There is no issue on that front. From my own research this school has state accreditation. If state accredited degrees are no longer accepted then what does that say to all the Antiguans and Barbudans who have completed degrees at state only accredited schools?
The thing that is troubling is that the school is accredited in England and other nations. Will ABNAB also treat degrees from those places as unacceptable? Not only is ABNAB going down a slippery slope but it is a dangerous path.
If ABNAB has an issue with the qualifications of persons who received degrees from these places, why not put in place an exam that persons must pass before appointments in certain areas are made? It would seem as if that is the way to go to be fair. If the expectation is for persons to master a particular body of knowledge then check for that and if it is shown that persons do then the right thing to do is to accept the degree. However understand me clearly here: the exam should be required across the board and not just for specific school to be just and fair. ABNAB needs to show its hand as to why it specified these two schools so that Antiguans and Barbudans have the kind of information to determine where they will do tertiary studies; only this way will biases be prevented.
A religion based “University” that teaches debunked and stone age knowledge based subjects as fact. No wonder they aren’t recognised else what’s next? The University of Hansel & Gretel..?