In the press

Corruption in higher education is not a topic much discussed in academic circles. Yet, corruption in various manifestations is an element of higher education in many parts of the world. It is time to open a discussion of the meaning and scope of corruption since it seems to be an expanding phenomenon, especially in parts of the world facing severe economic hardships. Academic institutions in these countries come under extreme pressure to provide access and degrees to ensure success in difficult economic circumstances.

Georgia: The Minister of education and science plans to reshuffle the education system of his country so as to reduce corruption in universities. One way to do this consists in standardising admission exams, under the supervision of a national organ only.

An online university that supposedly granted a graduate degree in business to a pet cat was sued Monday for consumer fraud by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.

Corruption and survival-level bribery may have been endemic in the communist era, but laws have been rewritten since 1989 in an effort to combat the problem. Nevertheless, the institutions are not strong enough to deal with corruption and still everybody pay bribes to doctors, teachers and to officials.

Unqualified international students use fraudulent documents to gain admission to universities. The Times Higher Education Supplement reported that an agent had placed "hundreds" of Chinese students in British universities.

TI Corruption Perception Index 2004 ranks a record of 146 countries; most oil-producing nations are prone to high corruption.

The rector of the Moscow State University of Culture and the Arts is alleged to have handed out 130 "false" law degrees between 2001 and 2004 in exchange for bribes worth RUR300,000. Estimates of how much students pay teachers and academics in bribes every year range from RUR250m to RUR300m.

The government has introduced a "Unified State Examination' test in the fight against corruption. The test will weed out weak teacher, improve the quality of instruction in schools and would ease the financial burden on parents of college students.

It is claimed that a "slow corruption" is being installed as universities are struggling for funds. Degrees are for sale and in one university a professor at a former polytechnic was found to have ordered his staff to "minimise" the number of failing students by marking up those at risk of failing because there has been a drop in applications.

Many Mexicans blame the National Education Workers Union, which has created "a monstrous system of perks and patronage", including the selling of teaching positions.