'What is meant by 'accredited' and who does the accrediting?'

MR STANLEY JEREMIAH: 'I refer to last Wednesday's article, ''Expert' appeals against ruling', which seems to imply that all unaccredited degrees are 'bought fake degrees' from 'degree mills and unaccredited sub-standard institutions'.

We do not have a national accreditation system for foreign degrees. Therefore, what is meant by 'accredited' and who does the accrediting?

Even if a degree is 'accredited' in a jurisdiction, it may not be recognised in Singapore for particular purposes. In the quest for self-improvement, many Singaporeans have enrolled in courses and degree programmes offered by various institutions.

No specific body in Singapore has 'accredited' or discredited these programmes. Many of the programmes do not have 'accreditation' in the institution's home jurisdiction.

Are we now saying that these are all 'fake'? If so, how did the Education Ministry allow this to happen?'

This article was first published in The Straits Times.