On Wednesday morning, Professor Rafiqul Islam of a university in Comilla received a phone call. On the other end, a familiar journalist asked, “Sir, it’s said that a local public representative from our area recently completed a PhD. Do you know him?”
Rafiqul was stunned by the question. He had been observing the issue for some time. The public representative’s Facebook profile boasted a PhD from an ‘international’ university. But upon investigation, it was revealed that the university has no recognition and no credibility.
This is not an isolated incident. In Bangladesh today, obtaining a PhD degree has become easy—as long as you have money in your pocket. As a result, there is a growing dominance of fake degree holders in society. This situation has deeply concerned academics and genuine researchers.
Professor Dr. Anisur Rahman of the Department of Sociology at the University of Dhaka said, “A PhD means discovering something new in the sea of knowledge. But now, people are getting this degree with money without any real research. The biggest victims are genuine researchers, who are losing people’s trust.”
Recently in Chittagong, a teacher lost his job due to a fake PhD. He had bought a degree online from a foreign diploma mill. Later, verification exposed him. Many such incidents are now reaching alarming levels.
Who is Genuine, Who is a Fraud?
According to researchers, current PhD holders fall into three categories.
1. True Researchers and Academics
These individuals are engaged in research over many years and work at recognized universities or research institutions. Their research papers are regularly published in international, peer-reviewed journals. They also have profiles on Google Scholar, ORCID, or ResearchGate. They are eager to expand knowledge and work tirelessly for new discoveries.
Professor Dr. Fahmida Islam of Jahangirnagar University said, “True researchers see their research as a part of life. They never believe in shortcuts.”
2. Fake PhDs Bought with Money
Degree holders in this category do not actually conduct research. In exchange for a fixed amount of money, they buy superficial theses and showcase certificates from bogus institutions. Their research does not exist in reality. They even announce their fake achievements on social media. They can easily be identified, as they lack any credible research profiles.
A student from Dhaka shared, “In our area, a businessman now introduces himself as a doctor. Everyone knows he bought the degree.”
3. Hybrid Fraudulent PhDs
This category is the most concerning. These degree holders occupy academic positions but are involved in various unethical practices. Sometimes, they fabricate research data; other times, they claim credit for others’ work. Often, they use influence to have their names added to research papers. An established researcher, on condition of anonymity, said, “This kind of person is the most harmful in academia because they destroy public trust.”
The Severe Social Impact
Dr. Nazmul Haque, former Vice Chancellor of a private university in Dhaka, said, “Because of fake PhD holders, genuine researchers are losing motivation. Public trust in education is declining, and young people are getting confused. In the future, this will have serious long-term negative effects.”
According to an official of the University Grants Commission (UGC), “If strict action is not taken against the institutions providing fake degrees, this problem is bound to get much worse.”
Awareness is Essential
So, how can you distinguish real researchers from fake degree holders? Experts have offered some suggestions:
- Verify the accreditation of the relevant university.
- Check the status and quality of the researcher’s published work.
- Look up their profiles on Google Scholar, ORCID, or ResearchGate.
To restore integrity to academia, raising awareness at every level of society is essential. Alongside the government, citizens too must take initiative. Only then can the true value of the PhD be regained.
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