Netizens have raised concerns about Indonesian celebrity Raffi Ahmad receiving an honorary doctorate without having made any notable contributions to academic research. Despite being known primarily as an entertainer, Raffi has never written a scientific or academic paper in any field. This has prompted some to question the legitimacy of the award, as honorary doctorates are typically given to individuals who have made significant academic achievements.
Further investigation into the granting of the honorary doctorate led to the discovery that the UIPM campus in Thailand, where the degree was purportedly awarded, is actually located in a hotel. Indonesian citizen Niar Ibrahim Rose, who lives in Bangkok, visited the supposed campus and found that it was not an academic institution as claimed. This raised more concerns about the validity of the degree and the credibility of the organization issuing it.
The Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology has also weighed in on the issue, stating that it does not recognize the degrees issued by UIPM Indonesia. The Director General of Higher Education, Research, and Technology, Professor Abdul Haris, announced that UIPM does not have the necessary permit to provide higher education in Indonesia. This further complicates the legitimacy of the honorary doctorate received by Raffi Ahmad.
This controversy highlights a larger issue of fake degrees being issued in Indonesia. The Ministry of Education has cracked down on over 17 higher education institutions between January and March 2023 for selling fake degrees. This action was taken to ensure the quality of Indonesian education and the competency of graduates entering the workforce. Instances of individuals using fake degrees to secure employment have also been reported, underscoring the serious consequences of such fraudulent practices.
In one case, a civil servant from North Sumatra was found to have used a bogus degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Sumatra Utara to apply for a job in the public works sector. After seven years on the job, it was revealed that the degree was fake, leading to consequences for the individual involved. The case of comedian turned university rector Nurul Qomar, who was sentenced to prison for using fake master diplomas to qualify for his position, further emphasizes the widespread issue of fake degrees in Indonesia.
The controversy surrounding Raffi Ahmad’s honorary doctorate sheds light on the importance of upholding academic integrity and ensuring the credibility of educational institutions in Indonesia. The prevalence of fake degrees in the country poses a significant challenge to the education system and the professional realm. Measures taken by the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to address this issue are crucial in preserving the quality of education and safeguarding the integrity of academic qualifications in Indonesia.
