About 100 Dhaka University officials applied for promotion in their jobs showing counterfeit skills certificates on computer literacy. Some also got promoted to their aspired positions, while the rest of the staff are awaiting promotions. The accused staff managed the certificates in exchange of money without attending class anywhere. Most of the certificates were provided by a fake training centre which closed its operation a couple of years ago. Earlier, we observed a number of DU teachers getting promoted based on plagiarised thesis and research papers. This premier university celebrated its centennial this year. But the depletion of quality is heart-wrenching.
Fake certificate business in the city’s Nilkhet area has gained momentum amid the pandemic when books and office stationery business has fallen drastically. The Rapid Action Battalion arrested two fraudsters in connection with the fake certificate business. Detectives conducted several raids and arrested many fake certificate manufacturers from different parts of the city in recent years. Sometimes it becomes difficult to identify the real from the fake certificates as students often make photocopies of original certificates in the same shops. Under Section 470 of Bangladesh Penal Code, 1860, forging legal documents is a punishable offence.
The fraudsters are using modern technology to weaken Bangladesh’s future instead of furthering its progress. People with fake educational certificates working in the government and other organisations are a matter of serious concern. Law enforcers must bust the fake certificate manufacturers and the judiciary should give them exemplary punishment. In the DU case, the authorities should show boldness to take punitive action against those who have submitted the fake certificates for promotion.
