Probe into licences and forged academic qualifications
Libya – The Public Prosecution ordered the detention of a former director of the Private Higher Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research after accusing him of concealing archives and breaching the rules governing licences to operate higher education activities. The alleged breaches led to licences for 114 universities, 36 of which obtained accreditation from the National Centre for Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Educational and Training Institutions.
Forged qualifications used for jobs and promotions
The prosecution also acted on reports that forged academic qualifications attributed to higher education institutions had been used as supporting documents for public-sector posts — both for entry into the civil service and other jobs, and for promotion to higher grades and pay scales.
Criminal review to correct legal status
Investigators opened a criminal review to identify forged academic certificates, with a view to correcting the legal status of public posts and protecting the public interest that legislation seeks to safeguard by requiring specified qualifications for certain jobs. The review also aims to help the administration tighten checks on academic certificates that qualify people for public posts, in line with the system for describing, classifying and ranking jobs, and to uphold equal opportunity by restoring trust in government documents and extracts that show academic qualifications.
Breaches in documentation and licensing
The preliminary criminal review found neglect in documenting licences to operate higher education activities, and the granting of licences in breach of the law.
