Fake universities backed by organised gangs are mounting aggressive marketing and advertising campaigns, exploiting the digital transformation imposed by coronavirus lockdowns. People can no longer readily distinguish real universities from fake ones, particularly when some fake institutions claim to be based in Dubai.
What Are Fake Universities?
Fake universities may have no physical existence, or may be registered companies without accreditation from the relevant government authorities. They do not provide content worthy of being called education and may provide none at all. Everything may be a formality—such as requesting projects and research—to create an educational appearance. Their main goal is to seize the money of ambitious people with dreams.
Why Do Students Seek to Study Online?
Many people continually seek to improve their lives, whether immediately after secondary school or many years later. They want to keep up with developments in knowledge that can bring financial or professional benefits. With work pressures and limited time, many work long hours and some also raise children, leaving no time for a physical university. High tuition costs, especially in Gulf countries, may also be a barrier. These eager learners therefore turn to online universities, and this is where fake institutions enter the picture.
How These Universities Operate
They promise learning in a short period to reduce costs and accelerate progress towards students' goals. They claim to take years of experience into account, shortening the course or even awarding a degree without study, perhaps requiring only a graduation project. After enrolling, students discover that the certificate is fake—or the university suddenly disappears.
Consequences
The psychological harm caused by this fraud can last for years, leaving unforgettable bitterness. People's dreams evaporate while they are powerless, losing money they badly need. This may have been their last hope of moving even one step up a career ladder where they remain near the bottom, not because they lack competence but because they lack a “piece of paper”.
The negative consequences are economic as well as personal. This money should have gone to genuine educational institutions that actually develop people and conduct research. Employees with such degrees and foundations will also harm productivity if they lack competence and experience.
The Solution
Responsibility lies primarily with the state, the bodies responsible for awareness, and universities. Universities remain far behind in meeting people's needs, including smart education—even when coronavirus has forced its adoption—and charge extraordinary fees without corresponding results. Today, a collection of courses can offer far more than four years of study. This is why US President Trump signed a decision concerning recruitment based on skills and competence rather than degrees.
Individuals must then verify institutions rather than trust empty names such as “International Academy”, “Global Academy” or foreign university titles. They should immediately report fake offers to the authorities and warn friends so everyone benefits.
You can consult the list of fake universities to help avoid them:
https://cybearena.com/lists/%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D9%87%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%AF/