Spot the fake PhD holders with new database

Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching

KUALA LUMPUR: The public will soon be able to verify the authenticity of doctorate holders via a database that is currently being built by the Ministry of Higher Education, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

 

Its deputy minister Datuk Dr Mary Yap Kain Ching(pic) said the ministry is collaborating with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) with regard to the number of cases of fake doctorates in the country.

 

Responding to a question by Datuk Fauzi Zahari (BN-Setiawangsa), Dr Yap said the database would include the list of doctor of philosophy (PhD) holders, the name of the university, the field of study and the subject of their thesis, and the year of graduation.

 

“Additionally, the public can also report to the police and MCMC if they come across websites which offer fake doctorates or those who hold fake doctorates,” she said on Monday.

 

Dr Ong Kian Ming (DAP-Serdang) also suggested that the Higher of Education Ministry vet members of Parliament on their PhDs.

 

“We do not want those who hold fake degrees as this will give a bad impression to our constituents,” he said.

 

Agreeing with him, Dr Yap said the ministry, along with the police, would take stern action against those who hold fake doctorates.

 

“We all know those who said they finished their PhD within 10 months are fake PhD holders,” she said.