Search Page

The Polish government has introduced measures to combat corruption in the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBiR), including increasing oversight by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Reports of misuse of funds and irregularities in grant allocation have prompted investigations and led to changes in the NCBiR's operations. Additionally, efforts are underway to ensure transparent and equitable financing of universities, with plans to increase funding for science and higher education.

The conviction of an executive from an unregistered university marks a significant step in Malawi's efforts to combat illegal higher education institutions. The official operating unregistered universities was fined and faces imprisonment for offering fake qualifications. While civil society organizations advocate for more arrests and consequences for employers recognizing qualifications from such institutions, the conviction underscores the importance of regulatory enforcement to maintain educational integrity. Calls for a National Qualification Authority Bill aim to strengthen regulatory frameworks, yet progress remains uncertain.

A committee in Nigeria, led by the Minister of Education, is investigating degree racketeering and degree mills. Affiliated institutions in several countries are under scrutiny. The committee seeks to address breaches in the accreditation process for both local and foreign universities, following revelations of fraudulent practices highlighted in an investigative report. Experts suggest improving accreditation processes and public awareness to combat the issue.

China's Ministry of Science and Technology has released new guidelines on the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) in scientific research to enhance scientific integrity and reduce misconduct. The rules ban the direct use of generative AI tools for research funding applications, requiring clear labelling of AI-generated content. The guidelines address challenges arising from rapid AI development, emphasizing responsible research conduct.

To preserve the integrity of education, the Minister of Education has announced the randomization of questions in the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE). This measure aims to combat cheating, strengthen the integrity of the examination and ensure the credibility of the results. This measure follows the cancellation of the results of 3,500 students by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for misconduct.

The Australian Government has introduced stringent measures to tackle fraud and exploitation in the student visa system. These include prohibiting agent commissions for student transfers between institutions, preventing education agents from owning stakes in Australian education providers, and establishing an integrity unit within the vocational education and training (VET) regulatory authority to monitor and enforce compliance among VET providers, emphasizing the importance of student attendance as a risk indicator.

The Fair College Admissions for Students Act aims to end legacy admissions in universities, removing preferential treatment for applicants with ties to the school. This move is seen as an effort to create fairer college admission practices by addressing the tradition's benefit to affluent white individuals and the elite school system's reliance on such practices. The bill's introduction follows the Supreme Court's recent decision to end affirmative action, which considered race among factors in student admissions.

The Minister of Higher Education commissioned a report into the affairs of Unisa, Africa's biggest open distance learning institution. There have been claims of maladministration, as well as tender irregularities, allegedly involving the University's Vice Chancellor and principal. The report found that Unisa has been plagued by governance issues since 2016. It included the flouting of procurement processes, irregular appointment of staff members, as well as huge salary increases.