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Rise in degree mills means business must be vigilant

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 15:06

Publicity surrounding the legitimacy of leadership at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) has raised the issue of degree mills and emphasised the importance of credentials verification.

There has been extensive media coverage of TUT’s acting Vice Chancellor Professor Johnny Molefe and questions posed regarding the authenticity of his credentials. Recent reports say Professor Molefe is officially on leave pending the outcome of further investigation into his position and qualifications.

Experts in the field of credential verifications continue to keep a close eye on developments as the investigation unfolds.

Managed Integrity Evaluation (Pty) Ltd. (MIE) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Ideco Group and established credentials verification services provider in South Africa.

The company’s CEO, Ina van der Merwe, has appeared on Carte Blanche and confirmed that degree mills are on the increase.

MIE is aware of at least one thousand degree mills worldwide. The Internet is an effective resource through which to target and reach individuals, from ordinary members of the public through to professionals in high profile positions says van der Merwe.

The company owns and operates the National Qualifications Register, a database that stores three million graduate records from 23 institutions in South Africa.

As Van der Merwe explained to the Carte Blanche team, the company is wary of anyone who is not officially listed on the Register. “Statistics from June of this year show that two thousand five hundred people have been less than truthful about their qualifications. The issue of legitimacy and integrity of academic qualifications will continue to receive media attention because of the extent to which it affects employers and employees.”

MIE warns decision makers that failure to check and confirm credentials could result in their organisation or institution facing unnecessary risk.

“This issue of instilling and building trust, of having people within the organisation that possess genuine credentials filters through to other levels within an institution or company, ” van der Merwe continues.

TUT is currently under administration with Professor Themba Mosia, Registrar from the North West University, being appointed as the Administrator.