TheJakartaPost
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Fragile academic ethos is an intellectual insult
This academic fraud — the very instances of disgraceful educational practises, if not an intellectual insult — reflects how fragile our academic ethos is.
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Plagiarism among academics is rampant; agencies offering services for doing academic work are common; the selling of bogus certificates and forged degrees are ubiquitous and the illegal operation of higher learning institutions is not unusual. (Shutterstock/File)
T
he revelation of a fraudulent doctoral program, allegedly run by one of the state universities in Jakarta, is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to misconduct and intellectual crimes that have long plagued the country’s educational landscape.
Plagiarism among academics is rampant; agencies offering services for doing academic work are common; the selling of bogus certificates and forged degrees are ubiquitous and the illegal operation of higher learning institutions is not unusual.
This academic fraud — the very instances of disgraceful educational practises, if not an intellectual insult — reflects how fragile our academic ethos is.
Interestingly, the alleged fraudulent doctoral program allegedly involves a number of regional officials who are said to have been purportedly motivated to improve human resources in certain regions. It is alleged that they have produced a massive number of doctorates.
It has also been alleged that due to its lax and flexible requirements (i.e. a candidate can graduate in a shockingly shorter time than what is normally required) the program allegedly attracted many politicians, public figures and bureaucrats alike.
There seems to be a certain degree of arrogance among these people who seem to think they are eligible to put “doctor” before their names.
Yet, it seems rather surreal when hearing that a doctorate candidate taking part in the program offered by the state university can allegedly earn his/ her doctorate degree in less than a year. The program normally takes four to five years to complete.
