In the media

A report on sexual harassment by the Commission for Gender Equality has revealed that some student leaders at Nelson Mandela University in South Africa have demanded sexual favors from first-year students in exchange for on-campus accommodation. Additionally, at North-West University, other students have reported engaging in sex work to survive. This report highlights both corruption among university students and serious cases of sexual harassment.

Representatives from 33 countries met in Rome for the Council of Europe’s Platform called ETINED. This plenary brought together government officials to discuss the findings of a survey on fraud in education (FraudS+ project). The results highlight that students have limited awareness of fraudulent practices, except for plagiarism. The survey also underscores the need for greater support, prevention, and protection for the academic community. Overall, the Conference reaffirmed the importance of open data in education and the necessity of stronger ethical safeguards.

Between 2023 and 2024, approximately 10,000 international students submitted 'potentially fraudulent' letters of acceptance (LOAs) to visa agencies, representing 2% of all applications submitted in Ottawa. Additionally, 14,000 international students filed asylum claims to get ahead of Canadian refugee regulations. LOAs, which are not secure documents, have been easy to replicate and are often produced by “ghost consultants”. Government officials emphasize the need to distinguish students who genuinely require asylum from the « bad actors ».

A study on the Public Availability of Research Integrity Policies in Leading African Universities found that only 20.67% of the 283 universities analyzed had research integrity policies, with major gaps in Northern and Central Africa. Most policies were written in English (87%), with smaller portions in Arabic (9%) and French (4%). The findings suggest that research integrity is often neglected and not aligned with national standards.

A report highlights how corruption in Africa's health and education sectors is denying millions of children access to essential services. Issues like worker absenteeism and informal fees result in fewer, lower-quality services. For instance, across Africa, 24% of teachers were absent during unannounced visits. The report urges governments to enhance transparency and accountability to address these inequalities.

The World Economic Forum estimates that corruption costs the global economy $2.6 trillion annually or about 5% of global GDP, prompting governments to explore digital tools for its eradication. Digital platforms and technologies like automation, blockchains, and AI can reduce opportunities for misconduct. However, the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) warns that technology could exacerbate the digital divide between wealthy and poorer nations.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi removed and terminated education department officials over irregularities in scholarship distribution in 2012-13. An investigation revealed that funds were misappropriated using false identities, and an inspector was demoted for unlawfully retaining uniform funds and diverting financial aid into various accounts.

The Council on Higher Education (CHE) has released guidelines for public and private universities on awarding honorary doctorates and professorships. This move addresses concerns about the misuse and potential abuse of honorary titles, which can lead to public distrust and exploitation. CHE emphasizes the importance of rigorous background checks and thorough evaluation of recipients' track records. It also advocates for revoking honorary degrees from individuals found guilty of criminal or unethical conduct.

The University of Botswana faces allegations of maladministration and academic dishonesty, including fake master’s degree credentials, favoritism, and academic fraud. The University's Vice Chancellor has dismissed these claims as malicious attempts to tarnish the institution's reputation.

The Cabinet Secretary for Education has called for quicker prosecution of all persons involved in exam fraud, warning that delays could encourage repeat offenses. He recommends measures like individualized penalties and placing candidates' names on exam papers to improve accountability. These steps aim to prevent issues such as unregistered candidates, unauthorized possession of materials, and altering results.