Express PhDs Unethical, Says Ungku Aziz

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Obtaining PhDs the express way is a problem of ethics and must be tackled seriously by the government, said Royal Professor Ungku Aziz.

The renowned academcian said if left unchecked, it would not only tarnish the name of the education institution involved but also affect the image of the country in the eyes of the world.

Nevertheless, he believed local institutions of higher learning, public or private, were aware that this express way of getting doctorates, which he described as "instant noodles" recognition, was limited to certain people.

"To me it is a question of ethics. Universities must exercise caution in this matter to uphold their image and quality of education. More so, now we have instituted KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) to measure performance," he told Bernama when contacted here Tuesday.

He was commenting on remarks made by Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim who asked that the Attorney-General's Department determine whether buying of peerage titles like "Datuk" or express PhDs were crimes.

Rais had also expressed his worry that indulging in this activity (buying PhDs) could give rise to a generation of "fake intellectuals".

The issue drew the attention of Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin who on Sunday was reported as saying that no local institution of higher learning in the country was involved in pedalling express Phds.

Mohd Khaled was also reported as saying that he would ask Rais for clarification on the matter during the Cabinet meeting Wednesday.

Bernama understands the issue of buying express PhDs mostly involve foreign educational institutions and are usually done the "online" way, and to date, there has been no solid evidence to indicate it is happening in the country although it is often linked to VIPs and politicians.

As for Prof Dr Musa Abu Hassan, there should be an all out war to prevent buying of express PhDs from becoming rampant.

"No degree, no masters but having a PhD. This cannot be allowed to happen," said the information and communications technology (ICT) professor of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Serdang when asked to comment on the same issue.

Prof Musa said most of these express PhDs were offered by foreign online universities particularly in the United States.

He said, for a fee, the individuals involved could obtain certificates, first degrees, masters and PhDs easily without having to attend lectures, conduct reseach or submit dissertations like most conventional universities.

"On closer checking, these "online" universities even operate from homes and are run by just a few people," said Prof Musa.

Locally, he said, the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) could conduct investigations to determines if the PhDs were genuine.

He also concurred with Ungku Aziz that it was unethical to obtain express PhDs and that it was tantamount to graft but this was something for the Attorney-General to decide.

On the issue of the purchase of "Datuk" titles, several people interviewed but who did not want to be named said many were willing to pay for it as it could raise their standing in society.

One them who received the title after serving the government for a long time, said he was once asked by a businessman where he could buy it.

"The title opens doors, that's why some people seek out "middlemen" to pay their way to be on the recipients list," he said.