IT is gratifying to note the Higher Education Ministry is taking steps to curb the usage of fake academic titles and misuse of honorary doctorates. Over the last few years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of educationists, professional trainers and consultants misrepresenting themselves in terms of their academic credentials and usage of honorary doctorates.According to J. S. Samuels, CEO of South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), “misrepresentation by a person of his or her qualification represents an act of fraud.” Indeed, SAQA reports cases of qualification misrepresentation to the police for prosecution. In the United Kingdom, under the Fraud Act 2006, “fraud by false representation” carries a maximum 10-year jail sentence.
Recently, several concerned Malaysian educationists who have slogged for several years to earn their doctorates from accredited institutions have formed a group with the singular aim of ensuring that Malaysians practise a high standard of academic integrity. Educationists and training professionals are both morally and duty bound to set the right examples on stating their qualifications specifically and honestly. It is about intellectual and professional integrity.
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