MOM Investigating 15 Work Pass Holders After Private University in India Found to Give Fake Degrees

In a world where the paper is might, there is a lucrative business in selling degrees to people.

And that’s exactly what this Indian university, Manav Bharti University of Himachal Pradesh, was caught doing earlier this year.

It was reported that the university had issued 41,000 degrees, out of which only 5,000 were the real deal.

Yes, that means they’ve sold 36,000 degrees.

This would’ve been an interesting tidbit to gossip about for a few days, except for one crucial detail.

The Online Citizen, the website whose chief editor is currently embroiled in a legal battle with PM Lee, found out that several of the university’s graduates are working in Singapore.

And so, the authorities in Singapore are now on the move.

MOM Investigating 15 Work Pass Holders After Private University in India Found to Give Fake Degrees

On 17 Feb, it was reported that the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) is now investigating 15 work pass holders who are holding qualifications from the Indian private university.

If found to possess fake qualifications, their work passes will be revoked and they’ll be banned from working in Singapore permanently, a spokesperson for MOM said.

Multiple Layers of Verification

MOM went on to add that employers have the responsibility of vetting their candidates thoroughly before hiring them.

Most employers take this responsibility seriously, but that doesn’t mean things are left to chance.

MOM also conducts its own verifications and checks after the employers have submitted the academic papers.

Authenticity is also verified through third-party screening institutions and the higher learning institutes.

In addition, if employers find out about their employees’ lies after they were employed, MOM will still receive the reports and take actions against the offenders.

Not A New Thing, Apparently

Now, if you’re wondering whether this is the first time something like this happened in Singapore, it’s not.

According to the ministry, an average of 660 foreigners were permanently barred each year over the past 5 years for submitting fake qualifications in their work pass applications.

About 8 foreigners were convicted and charged by the courts a year over the same time frame.

According to the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act, guilty parties could be fined up to S$20,000, jailed up to two years, or both for submitting fake qualifications, if prosecuted.

By the way, have you heard about this serial faker who got jobs at 38 companies by photocopying degrees and just plastering his name over it? You can read more about that here.

Feature Image: India TV News / TOC