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A top Nigerian academic has generated heated debate after publicly criticising the country’s university accreditation agency for lack of autonomy, negligence and double standards in its annual accreditation of courses. All accusations have been denied by the agency. The Professor accused the National Universities Commission, or NUC, of becoming a mouthpiece for government and failing to perform its duties as a regulatory agency created to ensure quality in universities. He accused the NUC of aiding and abetting corruption in its accreditation exercise, and said there were allegations that some people conducting accreditation “receive brown envelopes” – a euphemism for bribes – which also undermined the credibility of NUC accreditation.

Concerned over fake universities duping students in the country, a Parliamentary panel has sought "exemplary" action against such bodies and those who violate UGC guidelines. In another significant observation, the panel focused on issues related to corruption in All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The panel recommended that the HRD ministry improve the accountability and strengthen vigilance mechanism in AICTE.

Academic fraud such as bribery, bogus universities and falsified research findings is hardly a new phenomenon but it seems to be escalating worldwide, prompting quality assurance professionals meeting last week in Washington, DC to grapple with how, if at all, they can help combat the problem. No consensus was reached, but a prevailing view emerged that the potential consequences, if left unchecked, are dire.

Independent Schools Association of Malawi (Isama) officials have bemoaned high levels of corruption in the ministry of Education inspection department. The President of Isama said during the launch of a quiz competition organised by the association that Education ministry officials were demanding money from private school owners who did not have licence to operate their institutions in the country.

Academic fraud has consequences for students and society in general. According to one professor, the subject of corruption has been a big debate for many years in Cuba, but that forms of corruption evolve as the means of change.

As part of the National Accreditation Commission (CNA) case, three universities are accused of bribery. They have allegedly paid CL$25,000,000 to the former director of the aforesaid Commission in order to obtain the very sought-after accreditation.