Search Page

Kenya's public sector is facing a crisis as an audit by the Public Service Commission revealed more than 2,000 cases of fake academic and professional certificates among government employees. It was found that 787 civil servants had used false credentials, ranging from fake secondary and tertiary education certificates to altered grades. This widespread fraud, which affects several government institutions, undermines public confidence. The proposed legislation aims to tackle the problem, but urgent reforms are needed to restore integrity and accountability.

Nigeria's higher education sector is concerned about the commercialization of honorary degrees, with titles being awarded to undeserving individuals. Despite the Keffi Declaration's guidelines, the unethical practice persists, prompting the President’s condemnation. Educators stress the importance of merit over monetary contributions and urge adherence to the Declaration's guidelines to restore integrity to the process.

Two Norwegian politicians face plagiarism accusations regarding their master's theses, leading to investigations by their universities. The scandals have sparked debates over academic integrity, with calls for stricter penalties for plagiarism. The incidents have also raised concerns about the treatment of students versus politicians and the need for national regulations on plagiarism. Experts stress the importance of promoting ethical research norms and integrity within universities.

A special parliamentary committee has been set up to investigate fake certificates and distance education programs that do not meet any standards or regulations. A report shows that universities are receiving calls from senior politicians asking them to enroll students in faculties for which they are not qualified. Other findings include bribery and corruption, difficulties in accessing higher education, and misuse of the Internet.

The new book “Corrupted: A study of chronic dysfunction in South African universities” is an account of chronic corruption rooted in a political economy framework combined with a lack of governance and management capacity and academic integrity. These universities are all located in resource-poor areas where the university is the main source of funding and an opportunity for corruption, ranging from contracts (such as building projects) to services (such as transport), to student accommodation and the sale of fake certificates.

Under the new measures approved on academic integrity for all its candidates, all Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members standing for election will have to list their degrees and sign an academic ethics statement declaring that they did not engage in plagiarism, falsification or ghostwriting when writing their theses. This follows the revoke of various doctoral degrees of DPP members for plagiarism allegations.

Following two scandals at National Taiwan University involving two politicians, the president of the Union of Private School Educators called on the Ministry of Education to ensure that university dissertation plagiarism is prevented. Academics are unlikely to blow the whistle on misconduct by politicians studying for degrees. Instead of being compromised by favours from politicians, thesis advisers should instead be gatekeepers of academic ethics.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is investigating dozens of cases involving politicians, State and public officers over forged degrees, illegal allocation of resources, irregular employment, and approval of suspected pending bills. According to EACC’s chief executive officer, money and assets will be recovered from politicians who used forged academic certificates to win elective posts, even from those who retired.

Instead of following the national regulations for granting honorary academic titles, the State University of Jakarta decided to pass its own rules. While politicians want academic titles to boost their public image and reputation, they are concerned about their careers rather than the university itself. “Usually, after the title-granting ceremony, funds or projects come in from the grantee’s office,” said a senior lecturer.

Spokesmen for Ghana National School Feeding Associations called on the President and the Ministry of Education to investigate corrupt officials who exploit the system for their personal gains. During the 2019/2020 Academic year, the Ghana National School Feeding Programme paid GH¢12.9 million to individuals benefitting 511 ghost schools across the country that were not included in the school feeding programme.