Bar use of dubious academic credentials

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.

The above mentioned group has compiled a list of numerous Malaysian professional trainers and management consultants having dubious PhD and DBA qualifications from various degree mills (unaccredited higher education institutions). This list will soon be forwarded to the Ministry of Human Resources and Pembangunan Sumber Manusia Berhad (PSMB). Take heed that the group is prepared to publicly name and shame individuals who misrepresent their academic credentials as what is reportedly being done by SAQA on its website (Register of Misrepresented Qualifications).

I have been given permission to share some examples of prominent Malaysians allegedly misrepresenting their honorary doctorate titles and thus, arguably committing fraud. A “Tan Sri” from a well- known private think tank is using the title of “Dr” despite apparently having only an Honorary Doctorate in Law. He originally claimed to have a PhD (now removed from the organisation’s website) from a well-known degree mill. A “Dato” CEO of one of Malaysia’s leading universities with an honorary Doctorate in Technology is also apparently guilty of wrongfully using the title “Doctor”. Another “Tan Sri” is also apparently guilty of misrepresenting his academic credentials. He proudly and loudly claims to be “an alumnus of the Harvard Business School” despite purportedly attending only an Advanced Management Programme.

By convention, recipients of honorary doctorates should not use the title of “Dr” as it is misleading and does not have the same standing as an earned doctorate. An honorary doctorate is not an academic qualification; it is an award for lifetime achievements. The proper way as stated by Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, Minister of Higher Education is to use the honorary doctorate title within brackets (Dr). This proper usage has been honourably demonstrated by University of Malaya’s current ViceChancellor, Datuk Ir (Dr) Abdul Rahim Hashim. There are other gentlemen of the highest order such as Tan Sri Arshad Ayub with reportedly at least 10 honorary doctorates and Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye with six honorary doctorates who do not use the title (Dr) at all. They don’t need to do so; their achievements speak volumes and are solid credentials.

I would like to urge the relevant authorities (including PSMB) to ensure educationists and professional trainers do not misrepresent their academic credentials. For a start, PSMB should insist that all registered professional trainers should provide documentary evidence of their academic qualifications and those with doctorate degrees from unaccredited institutions be strictly barred from using the “Doctor” title.