PhD registry to be instated by Govt to prevent academic fraud

The Ministry of Higher Education will put forth a directory which will record the names of all those who graduate with a doctorate from private universities.

The Ministry said that the move was in relation to the University and University Colleges Act 1971 (Act 30) and the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act (Act 555) to regulate the use of the “Dr” title among PhD holders, which it known to be the most commonly abused academic qualification locally.

“The setting up of this registry is to facilitate and complement existing laws in addition to the legal safeguards provided under the Penal Code which allows for criminal action to be taken against the production and usage of fraudulent academic titles. The Ministry believes that this move will ensure credible use of academic titles, enable the public to verify information, and deter bogus issuance of academic certificates,” it said in a statement this evening.