Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) has decided to expel 24 students who allegedly enrolled in the university with bogus HKDSE credentials, Hong Kong media reported.
Hong Kong’s education chief Christine Choi Yuk-lin was cited on Saturday in the media reports, where she said the higher education establishment had approached the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) for verification.
Describing the move to enrol with fake certificates as “outrageous”, the Hong Kong official warned that any such offence could lead to a maximum of 14 years behind bars.
As per a statement from the university, MUST said it had always “strictly adhered to the relevant guidelines of the Macao Education and Youth Development Bureau in conducting admissions and registration work”.
“Upon discovering relevant clues, the university immediately launched a comprehensive investigation into the matter and reiterated its zero-tolerance stance towards any form of fraud and academic misconduct, it emphasised.
Police intervention has been sought by the authority, with a probe currently afoot.
Other universities in Macau, however, are not involved in the scandal that shocked the financial hub, which has long prided itself on its academic reputation.
Choi urged universities on a radio programme to contact the HKEAA should they have any doubts.
According to Hong Kong’s law enforcement agency, no arrests have so far been made.
The surprise discovery of forged certifications comes after the sentencing of a mainland Chinese student to 17 weeks in prison for submitting a fake certificate from an Ivy League university in the United States.
In response to an enquiry from Macau News Agency for comment, the Education and Youth Development Bureau said that it issued guidelines in June calling on tertiary education institutions to beef up their gate-keeping endeavours.
The bureau has also said that it had maintained close communication with the police and all universities over the matter.
“The bureau has urged higher education institutions to ensure a proper admission and registration process through various meetings,” it stressed.
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