doctorate? two weeks? no problemo. NO NO.

http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?order=&_sourcePage=%2FWEB-INF%2Fjsp%2Fuser%2Fsearch_type_result.jsp&month=08&year=2008&date=29&docLanguage=en&documentId=nica_ST_2008_9826794

http://newslink.asiaone.com/user/OrderArticleRequest.action?order=&_sourcePage=%2FWEB-INF%2Fjsp%2Fuser%2Fsearch_type_result.jsp&month=08&year=2008&date=29&docLanguage=en&documentId=nica_ST_2008_9826787

I have recently concluded reading these two inter-related articles on the increasing convenient availability and usage of bogus online universities to attain bogus degree's and doctorate's. These acts of immorality reflect poorly upon Singapore and i would like to highlight the impact of these acts on our society and individuals.

This articles highlights the efficiency of online degree mills that operate online and mainly in USA and how people in Singapore today are proudly citing their bogus doctorates and masters' degrees in their resume. These degree mills often name themselves after reputed educational institutions in an attempt to aid their clients to fool their potential employers or increase an individual's portfolio. One such degree mill is Ashwood University, which presents anyone, or anything with a degree of your choice within two weeks. Dangerous.

But can't these people rest their mouse's for a minute and just think about the long term effects of their foolish actions? Even if people do purchase these online degrees, the ugly truth sits just a few clicks away. A minimal check through a google search would be more that sufficient to justify, or should i say, un-justify all the credible looking certificates. As such, these bogus degree's serve as nothing more than a tool to dig your own grave for these fake degree's would burn the reputation and your credibility despite how much effort you've really put in.

These degree's cast seeds of doubt into our society and it might ultimately result in a relationship o distrust between employers and potential employees. for all you know, these degree mills might take their "bogusness" up a notch and daringly replicate certificates from renowned universities. That would most definitely be detrimental for the course of future development of Singapore not considering the fact that we have an extremely small workforce as compared to major economic superpowers all around the world.

Such capitalistic corporations can prove to be extremely profitable, yielding US$7million in a six year period. But thats not the point! These acts reflect poorly on clients, suggesting their raw desperation to resort to any means necessary to get what they want which includes forking out large sums of money for a few pieces of paper for evidence to lies. And that ain't good, especially for a place like Singapore, where our strength lies in our unity. This doubt strains the fabric of our nation.

If employees are hired on the basis of their bogus certifications, they pose a great threat to society. Imagine, the danger of a " financial consultant " of whom you are paying money to to manage your life-savings. These people could crush, flip and destroy lives. They are a threat to society.

These degree mills could probably still operate under the radar, but i think that the government should do all in their power to prevent the influx of these detrimental websites. So for now, people, please, THINK. Degree mills do nothing but plant bombs in our society, social bombs. Dangerous.