08-03-2008, 04:59 AM
[quote=ham]
[quote] This kind of explanation invites a number of problems...
With so many accredited institutions on public display, why would anyone bother with the next 'new'
thing 'accredited' 
from Liberia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Uganda...?
Why, if not to 'pull a fast one'?
[/quote]
My point is that some of these people were not aware that they were actually buying a degree. They had no idea that they could have obtained the same degree by just giving their credit card number and not presenting any work whatsoever. They were of course aware that St. Regis is not Harvard or Yale, but it was cheap, fast, and accepting limitless work done elsewhere. And, most importantly, it was - or rather appeared to be - accredited by a MOE. We all know that it doesn't matter if an institution is accredited in Liberia, Uganda, Malaysia or any other country, degrees from MOE accredited schools are accepted almost everywhere.
Some people transferred and/or completed work they had done or started at other (often legitimate) schools. They thought it was a unique opportunity to complete their studies interrupted for various reasons and get an accredited degree. It was obvious that it was fast, cheap and easy and not according to the standards of North American or European universities, but still had nothing to do with purchasing a degree.
If they knew they were buying a degree or intended to buy a degree, why would they make the effort to present theses and dissertations, some of them over 250 pages in length. Again, these people are certainly guilty of gullibility and stupidity, but not of dishonesty.
[quote] This kind of explanation invites a number of problems...
With so many accredited institutions on public display, why would anyone bother with the next 'new'
thing 'accredited' from Liberia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Uganda...?Why, if not to 'pull a fast one'?
[/quote]
My point is that some of these people were not aware that they were actually buying a degree. They had no idea that they could have obtained the same degree by just giving their credit card number and not presenting any work whatsoever. They were of course aware that St. Regis is not Harvard or Yale, but it was cheap, fast, and accepting limitless work done elsewhere. And, most importantly, it was - or rather appeared to be - accredited by a MOE. We all know that it doesn't matter if an institution is accredited in Liberia, Uganda, Malaysia or any other country, degrees from MOE accredited schools are accepted almost everywhere.
Some people transferred and/or completed work they had done or started at other (often legitimate) schools. They thought it was a unique opportunity to complete their studies interrupted for various reasons and get an accredited degree. It was obvious that it was fast, cheap and easy and not according to the standards of North American or European universities, but still had nothing to do with purchasing a degree.
If they knew they were buying a degree or intended to buy a degree, why would they make the effort to present theses and dissertations, some of them over 250 pages in length. Again, these people are certainly guilty of gullibility and stupidity, but not of dishonesty.