A FEW days ago, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) announced that it would be using the QR (Quick Response) code on each of its certificates for its upcoming convocation. Researchers from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) had also introduced a similar technology for their certificates in 2012.
Why is it necessary for the certificates to have these codes, one might ask. Well, not too long ago, Malaysians, especially those in the academic circle, were taken aback by reports of well-known public figures holding fake PhD degrees. The report triggered a nationwide check on the authenticity of PhD degrees conferred on all academics at public and private institutions, as well as all personnel in the public domain who claimed to have been conferred the degree by institutions locally or internationally.