Last Updated: 21 0ctober 2025
The Standard Bilingual Higher Institute for Business Studies (SBHIBS) is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all visitors, applicants, students, faculty, staff, and partners. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and safeguard information obtained through our website and associated online services.
By accessing or using the SBHIBS website, you agree to the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy. We encourage you to read this document carefully to understand how your information is handled.
At SBHIBS, we recognize that privacy is a fundamental right. As an academic institution, we handle sensitive personal and educational data daily. Therefore, our responsibility extends beyond compliance it reflects our core values of trust, transparency, and accountability.
This policy describes the information we collect, the reasons for collection, the legal basis for processing, and your rights concerning your personal data. It applies to all digital interactions, including website visitors, online applicants, enrolled students, and individuals communicating with the institution electronically.
We collect both personal and non-personal information through various channels, including website forms, admissions applications, and electronic communications.
Personal information refers to data that can identify an individual directly or indirectly. Examples include:
– Full name, date of birth, and gender
– Contact details (email, phone number, physical address)
– Academic records and transcripts
– Identification numbers (such as national ID or passport number)
– Payment or billing information
– Health or medical information (for registration or accommodation purposes)
– Emergency contact details
– Login credentials for student portals
We may also collect non-identifiable information for analytical and improvement purposes, such as:
– Browser type and version
– Device and operating system
– IP address and general geographic location
– Pages visited, time spent, and navigation paths
– Cookies and usage statistics
Information is collected in several ways:
We collect and process data solely for legitimate educational and administrative purposes. The main objectives include:
– Processing applications for admission and enrollment
– Managing academic records, results, and student progress
– Facilitating communication between the institution and students
– Processing financial transactions such as tuition payments and refunds
– Maintaining institutional records for accreditation and audit purposes
– Providing online learning, examination, and certification services
– Conducting surveys, research, and institutional development studies
– Enhancing website performance and user experience
– Complying with legal obligations and government reporting
SBHIBS will not collect more information than necessary and will always handle your data responsibly and ethically.
SBHIBS processes personal data under several lawful bases, including:
– Consent: When you voluntarily provide information (e.g., during application or registration).
– Contractual Necessity: When processing is required to fulfill our agreement with you (e.g., delivering academic services).
– Legal Obligation: When required by law or regulation (e.g., reporting to the Ministry of Higher Education or University of Buea).
– Legitimate Interest: When necessary for institutional operations, provided it does not override your privacy rights.
– Vital Interests: When processing is needed to protect the life or well-being of students or staff.
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance functionality and analyze user engagement.
Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They allow us to recognize your browser and retain preferences to improve your browsing experience.
– Essential Cookies: Required for basic site functions (e.g., login sessions).
– Performance Cookies: Help us analyze website traffic and improve usability.
– Functionality Cookies: Remember user preferences and settings.
– Analytical Cookies: Used by tools like Google Analytics to study user behavior.
You can choose to accept or decline cookies through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of our website.
SBHIBS uses your personal information to deliver efficient academic and administrative services. Specifically, we may use it to:
– Register and manage students’ academic profiles
– Send admission, academic, and financial communications
– Issue identification cards and certificates
– Manage course enrollment and assessment records
– Facilitate access to online learning platforms and resources
– Respond to inquiries and support requests
– Notify students of institutional events, policies, and updates
– Conduct research to improve educational quality
– Prevent fraud and ensure system security
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to any third party.
SBHIBS may share personal data only with authorized entities and under strict confidentiality agreements. These include:
– Partner Institutions: such as the University of Buea or international examination bodies for academic recognition.
– Government and Regulatory Agencies: when required for accreditation, compliance, or reporting.
– Service Providers: such as IT companies, payment processors, or learning management platforms, strictly for institutional purposes.
– Legal Authorities: if mandated by law, court order, or governmental request.
Every third-party partner is required to comply with our data protection standards and not to use your information for unauthorized purposes.
SBHIBS retains personal information only for as long as it is necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected or as required by law.
Typical retention periods include:
– Student academic records: permanent
– Admission documents: up to 5 years after application
– Financial records: 7 years
– Website analytics data: up to 12 months
When data is no longer needed, it is securely deleted or anonymized to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.
We take data security seriously and implement appropriate physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect your information from loss, misuse, or unauthorized access.
Security measures include:
– Encrypted data transmission via SSL
– Restricted access to sensitive records
– Secure storage in password-protected databases
– Regular system updates and backups
– Staff training on data protection and confidentiality
However, while we strive for absolute security, no online system is completely foolproof. Users are encouraged to protect their own login details and report any suspicious activity immediately.
In accordance with international data protection standards, including the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles, you have the following rights concerning your personal data:
– Right to Access: You can request a copy of your personal data held by SBHIBS.
– Right to Rectification: You may correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
– Right to Erasure: You may request deletion of your data when it is no longer required.
– Right to Restrict Processing: You may ask us to limit data use in specific situations.
– Right to Data Portability: You may request your data in a transferable format.
– Right to Object: You may object to the processing of your data for non-essential purposes.
– Right to Withdraw Consent: You may withdraw consent at any time without affecting lawful processing already carried out.
Requests can be made in writing to the SBHIBS Data Protection Officer via the contact details provided below.
SBHIBS operates under the authority of the University of Buea and may transfer academic data across institutions or countries for verification and partnership purposes.
In such cases, we ensure that all data transfers comply with applicable privacy laws and that equivalent levels of protection are maintained in the receiving institution.
Our website may contain links to other educational or partner websites. SBHIBS is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of those websites before providing personal information.
SBHIBS does not knowingly collect or process information from individuals under the age of 16 without parental or guardian consent. Parents or guardians who believe their child’s data has been improperly collected should contact us immediately for corrective action.
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect legal, technological, or institutional changes.
Any modifications will be posted on this page with the “Last Updated” date revised accordingly.
We encourage users to review this policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect and manage your data.
If you have questions, requests, or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the way SBHIBS handles personal information, please contact:
Data Protection Officer
Standard Bilingual Higher Institute for Business Studies (SBHIBS)
[Insert Campus Address]
Email: info@sbhibs.com
At SBHIBS, safeguarding your personal information is not merely a compliance requirement—it’s a reflection of our institutional integrity and respect for every member of our academic community.
We value your trust and are dedicated to maintaining a secure, transparent, and accountable data environment that supports both academic excellence and individual privacy.
