There has been controversy surrounding the honorary doctorate awarded to Indonesian celebrity Raffi Ahmad, with some netizens questioning the legitimacy of the achievement. Honorary doctorates are typically given to individuals who have made significant contributions to academic research, which is not the case for Mr. Raffi. He has never written a scientific or academic paper in any field, raising doubts about the credibility of the award.
Further investigation by netizens into the UIPM campus in Thailand, responsible for granting the honorary doctorate to Raffi Ahmad, revealed concerning information. An Indonesian citizen living in Bangkok, Niar Ibrahim Rose, went to trace the location of the campus mentioned on the official website. However, upon arrival, she discovered that the address led her to a hotel, not an academic campus as expected. This raised even more questions about the legitimacy of the institution granting the honorary degree.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology in Indonesia also weighed in on the issue, stating that they do not recognize the validity of degrees issued by UIPM Indonesia. The Director General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology explained that the degrees issued by UIPM are considered invalid because the institution does not have the necessary operational permit to provide higher education in Indonesia. This further casts doubt on the authenticity of the honorary degree received by Raffi Ahmad.
The incident involving Raffi Ahmad is not an isolated case in Indonesia, as there have been previous instances of fake degrees being offered by various institutions. Between January and March 2023, the Ministry of Education took action against over 17 higher education institutions for selling fake degrees. This was done to maintain the quality of education in the country and ensure that graduates are properly equipped for the workforce. Instances of individuals using bogus degrees to secure positions have also been reported, highlighting the importance of verifying the authenticity of educational qualifications.
In May of this year, a civil servant from North Sumatra was found to have used a fake degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Sumatra Utara to apply for a job in the public works sector. After seven years in the position, it was discovered that the university had never issued her the degree. Additionally, in 2020, a comedian who became a university rector at University of Muhadi Setiabudi, Nurul Qomar, was sentenced to prison for using fake master’s diplomas to qualify for the role. These cases underscore the prevalence of fake degrees in Indonesia and the need for stricter measures to combat this issue.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Raffi Ahmad’s honorary doctorate has brought attention to the problem of fake degrees in Indonesia. The lack of credibility of certain institutions and the prevalence of individuals using bogus qualifications highlight the need for stricter regulations and oversight in the education sector. It is essential to ensure that educational credentials are legitimate and that graduates are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute meaningfully to society.
