Permanent Secretary for Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Sivendra Michael, has advocated for the creation of a transparent national system to validate academic qualifications, responding to rising concerns about the prevalence of fake degrees in Fiji. His comments follow a recent article in *The Fiji Times* that highlighted issues surrounding the credibility of academic credentials, particularly alarming given the number of reported cases, including those within the medical sector.
Dr. Michael emphasized that the issue is not only detrimental to the education system but also diminishes the value of the hard work put in by legitimate graduates. During a social media post, he remarked, “Fake or questionable qualifications do not just hurt the system; they undermine the hard work of others who have slaved for it. They cheapen the value of genuine education and create mistrust in every direction.”
He shared his own experience of completing a PhD while working full-time, which took him 4.3 years of relentless dedication. Reflecting on the sacrifice involved, he described the journey as “a test of endurance, discipline, and truth,” underscoring the importance of integrity in education.
Dr. Michael recounted an incident from his time at the British Council, where he encountered a job applicant who had falsified qualifications, which raised alarms about the need for thorough vetting processes by employers. He stated, “If we don’t report such cases, we become complicit.”
In contrast to the more streamlined verification processes found in Australia and New Zealand, he noted that Fiji currently lacks a quick and transparent qualification verification system for employers and the public. He urged educational institutions in Fiji to take proactive steps in establishing such systems to safeguard the credibility of its education sector.
“Universities must develop transparent systems that allow verifications. Employers must do their due diligence. Verify. Check. Ask questions,” he asserted, emphasizing that a title alone does not confer credibility, but rather the work behind it determines one’s professional integrity.
Dr. Michael concluded with a call for collective responsibility, stating that it is crucial for Fiji to address these challenges to preserve the value of authentic learning and prevent the situation from deteriorating any further.
The establishment of a verification system could greatly enhance accountability and restore trust in academic qualifications, ultimately benefiting the educational landscape and workforce integration in Fiji. By fostering an environment of transparency and diligence, there is a positive outlook for preserving the integrity of education in the nation.
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