The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is alarmed by reports of alleged “instant doctorate degrees” allegedly offered by a university, saying the issue has tarnished the reputation of the country’s higher education institutions (HEIs).
CHED Chairperson Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III said they formed a team to focus on the matter, particularly the reports regarding Adamson University.
“This report of an instant Ph.D. is very alarming and prejudicial to the international reputation of our Philippine HEIs. CHED will not condone any violation of existing laws and regulations, autonomous or not,” said de Vera III.
He added that Adamson University is considered autonomous. However, they can still look into the matter.
According to de Vera III, although Adamson is free from routine monitoring of CHED as an autonomous institution, CHED may conduct investigative activities in case of reports of the general deterioration of quality or severe violations of laws, rules, and regulations that affect the good standing of The PHEI as a reputable educational institution.
It can be recalled that according to a report by the South China Morning Post on July 25, Peng Xilin, party secretary of Shaoyang University located in China’s Hunan province, was fired after he rehired 22 teachers he sent to Adamson University in Manila. After obtaining a doctorate in just 28 months of study, they are usually obtained in a minimum of four to five years. The university head allegedly did this to increase their school ranking.
CHED alarmed by alleged ‘instant Ph.D.’
The university that was involved in the issue responded immediately.
“In light of recent news, Adamson University strongly denounces the malicious claims perpetrated by certain sectors in Hunan Province, China, on the Ph.D. degress obtained by Shaoyang College faculty members from Adamson University,” said the university.
It added that the school strictly follows CHED guidelines, especially the six-term residency requirement, highlighting the “stringent verification procedure.”
In the report, one Peng Xilin, said to be the party secretary of Shaoyang University, was fired for rehiring 22 teachers who allegedly completed their doctorates at Adamson University in just 28 months.
Provincial education authorities criticized Peng for being “unscientific” and “imprecise.”
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