11/09/2025
Fake Qualifications in PNG: Myths, Problems, & Solutions
Myths About Nationalities
People often believe wrong ideas about others based on stereotypes.
• Chinese or Asians are often thought to be kungfu or martial arts experts because of famous actors like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Donnie Yen, and Sammo Hung.
• Indians are often thought to all be experts in computers and mathematics because of well-known Indian tech leaders such as Satya Nadella (Microsoft), Sundar Pichai (Google), Arvind Krishna (IBM), Shantanu Narayen (Adobe), and Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks).
The truth is: not every Chinese person knows martial arts, and not every Indian is an IT expert. These stereotypes are misleading and dangerous when used for hiring staff in PNG.
The Problem of Fake Qualifications in PNG
PNG universities and colleges (UPNG, Unitech, UOG, DWU, PAU, IUE, WPU, IBS, ITI, POMBISCOL and others) are being targeted by foreigners who present fake qualifications to get teaching and professional jobs.
• Some applicants claim to have two or three master’s degrees from top universities such as Delhi University or Jawaharlal Nehru University.
• When checked, the student numbers, graduation years, or records cannot be found. In some cases, the same name and ID appear in many different countries.
• Fake certificates and transcripts look real but are false.
This practice is hurting the quality of education in PNG and reducing opportunities for local graduates.
Issues and Effects
• Scale of the problem: Many reports suggest that a large share of foreign applicants from India to PNG schools and universities cannot fully prove their certificates.
• AI cover-up: With tools like ChatGPT, unqualified people can write clever answers or reports, making it even harder to spot fakes.
• Impact on PNG:
* Students are taught by underqualified teachers.
* Local lecturers lose jobs to outsiders with fake papers.
* PNG institutions lose respect overseas.
How to Catch Fake Qualifications
1. Check Documents Properly
* Contact the original university directly.
* Cross-check student IDs, graduation year, and course details.
* Use India’s National Academic Depository for official verification.
2. Practical Interviews
* Instead of only asking questions, test candidates with real tasks.
* For IT jobs: ask them to write code, set up a network, or explain concepts.
3. Use Local Experts
* Let PNG subject experts (in IT, maths, engineering, etc.) sit in on interviews.
* Skilled people can prove knowledge without depending only on papers.
* Use services like Verification Systems existing in PNG (www.verifyme.com.pg)
4. Independent Checks
* Work with international services that verify academic records.
* Ask for notarized documents approved by the Indian High Commission in PNG.
How to Protect PNG Institutions
• National Verification Office: Create a PNG body that checks and approves all foreign certificates before hiring.
• Probation Employment: Hire foreigners on trial and confirm jobs only after they show real skills.
• Awareness: Train universities and HR teams to detect fake papers.
• Technology: Use online systems and digital records to confirm degrees.
Dealing With Existing Fake Staff
• Re-check all current staff qualifications.
• Ask for fresh certified copies from official sources.
• Run competency tests for anyone in doubt.
• Remove, report, and deport those found guilty.
• Replace them with trained PNG graduates.
Conclusion
Fake qualifications are just as harmful as fake products. They lower the value of our schools and damage the future of our students.
Remember this: a person who is taught Japanese will speak Japanese, a person who is trained to be a pilot will fly a plane, but a student who is taught by a fake-qualified lecturer will only receive a fake education. That student will struggle in real life and may never build a strong and productive career.
PNG must be strict. Real skills are more important than fake papers. Fraud must not be tolerated.