Minister denies IPTA and IPTS involved in fake Phd degrees

Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin (second from right) entertaining his collegues from the Cabinet at his open house in Pasir Gudang today - Bernama pic

JOHOR BAHARU, Sept 27 — Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin said no public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) and private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) are involved in issuing fake PhD degrees.

“I also like to stress that there are no lecturers with fake PhDs teaching at IPTA and IPTS in the country,” he said at an Aidilfitri function organised by Pasir Gudang parliamentary constituency here today.

Khaled said his ministry had strict procedures in the recruitment of lecturers as checks were conducted on the qualification of candidates.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim had urged the Attorney-General Department to act against those who bought titles like “Datukships” and PhD degrees from overseas.

Rais said this was neccesary as such activities could create a generation of fake intellectuals.

Khaled said Rais’ statement could give a negative perception of Malaysian education and urged him to explain so that it could be discussed by the Cabinet.

On the new Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) campus in Pahang, he said the immediate concern was to provide teaching and learning facilities.

“We are constructing new buildings at the UPNM campus in Kuala Lumpur to house faculties.

“UPNM is a new university and as such need to be strengthened. The question of relocating the campus to Kuantan, Pahang will have to wait,” he said. — Bernama