The decision of the ministry to stop scholarships for medical specializations in Egypt and Jordan has been met with mixed reactions. The decision has also raised questions about the mechanism for accrediting university degrees, especially for master’s and doctoral degrees, according to Al Jarida daily. Those concerned with educational affairs believe that it has become necessary to establish a clear mechanism for accrediting certificates issued by external universities, as this would help to ensure the quality of academic education and prevent the issuance of false certificates.
According to the write-up, proponents of this proposal believe that while there are a number of universities that issue fraudulent degrees, this should not be generalized to all universities. They argue that the government should put in place clear and fair mechanisms to guarantee the quality of education and the validity of academic certificates, while still allowing people to pursue their educational goals.
Moreover, stakeholders believe that the proposal to establish a center for accrediting university degrees issued from abroad could be the appropriate solution to the crisis of fraudulent degrees that is prevalent almost annually. The center would be responsible for evaluating the quality of education at foreign universities and ensuring that the degrees they issue are legitimate. It would also be responsible for conducting national examinations for students who have earned degrees from abroad.
To get a university degree from an external university recognized in Kuwait, students must pass exams in their specialization that are set by professors from the same college at Kuwait University and the same major. These exams are under the direct supervision of the academic accreditation body. In addition, students must achieve a score of not less than 75 percent to be successful. If they fail, they can retake the exam at a later time.