• Honorary Doctorates Becoming a Curse
• A New Scam in the Education Sector
• Honorary Doctorates: A Badge of Honor or a Business Scam?
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
While honorary doctorates were once a prestigious recognition for individuals with exceptional achievements, today, they have become a mere commodity. The Sprouts Special News Investigative Team has uncovered shocking details about how these degrees are being sold for money, turning what was once an accolade into an outright scam.
Legitimate universities used to confer honorary doctorates based on an individual’s contributions to society, research, or innovation. However, the trend has changed. Now, even UGC-approved institutions like NILM University in Haryana have allegedly jumped into the race of selling these degrees. This has severely tarnished the reputation of real doctoral programs, where scholars spend years conducting research and submitting rigorous thesis.
• Fake U.S. Universities Exploiting the Loophole
The scam is not limited to India. Several fake institutions claim to be based in the USA and are selling honorary doctorates without any legal authorization. These so-called “universities” operate through virtual addresses and fabricated websites, using unauthorized accreditation bodies to create a façade of legitimacy.
According to Sprouts News’ Investigation Team, in the U.S., a university must obtain specific licenses and accreditations from recognized bodies listed with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). However, these fraudulent entities bypass all legal procedures and simply form shell companies to issue honorary doctorates overnight.
Also Read: False Case against Tushar Kharat
• Public Ignorance is Fueling the Fraud
Apart from the scamsters running these fake institutions, the public is equally responsible for fueling this fraudulent industry. Many recipients of honorary doctorates fail to verify the legitimacy of the awarding institutions. Some even knowingly purchase these degrees to add prestige to their names without actually earning them.
When Sprouts News probed further, it was evident that honorary doctorates have lost their credibility. What was once a symbol of honor is now being compared to a piece of tissue paper bought from the grey market. If authorities do not intervene soon, the entire education system will suffer a severe blow, diminishing the value of genuine doctoral achievements.
‘Sprouts’ appeals to the public to beware of this racket- unless fake image-building is your thing.
Roster of Fraudsters
Beware of these individuals selling bogus PhD degrees. Contact the police immediately if you have been scammed:
Beware of these individuals selling bogus PhD degrees. Contact the police immediately if you have been scammed:
Maharshi Keshvananda, Anil Nair Thampi, Dinesh Kishor Gupta, Akepe Linus Enobi, Avinash Pawar, Joseph Legend Mfon, Musharrof Hossain, Vivek Choudhari- ESRDS, Siddic A Muhammed (Dubai), Kalyanji Jana, Riyas Sulaima Lebbe, Francisco Sardinha, Tapan Kumar Rautaray, Pawan Kumar Bhoot, Madhu Krishan, Ghanshyam Sakharam Kolambe, Peeyush Pandit, Abhishek Pandey, Mahendra Shamkant Deshpande (Nashik-Saputara-Gujarat), Lal Bahadur Rana (Nepal), Sunil Singh Pardeshi, Mangesh Deshmukh, Nareshchandra Kathole- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh IAS Academy, Amravati, Kishor Baliram Patil- (Bhivandi- reporter), Vishwas Arote (Akole- reporter), Surykant Rawool, Tarvinder Singh, Kiran Bongale (Sangli), Anwar Sheikh (Pune), BuAbdullah, Lokesh Muni (Ahinsa Vishwa Bharati ), Kavita Bajaj and Mansukh Damji Tank – (Rajkumar Tank), Gaurav Shah- BJP, Anajni Kumar- Delhi, Anwar Shaikh (Pune ), Harshad Madhukar Sangle (Pune)
• List of fake universities awarding
bogus PhD degrees:
bogus PhD degrees:
► Gandhi Peace Foundation Nepal
► World Culture and Environment Protection Commission
► The George Washington University of Peace, United States of America
► American East Coast University
► Socrates Social Research University
► World Human Rights Protection Commission (WHPRC)
► World Peace of United Nations University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maryland State University
► The University of Macaria
► Theophany University
► The Open International University of Complementary Medicine, Sri Lanka
► University of America Hawaii and Inox International University
► World Mystic Science Institute (OPC) Private Limited
► University of South America
► Southwestern American University
► The American University, USA
► Zoroastrian University
► Vinayaka Missions Singhania
► Adi Shankar Vedic University, Netherlands
► American Heritage University of Southern California (AHUSC)
► Peace University
► Global Human Rights Trust (GHRT)
► Trinity World University, UK
► St Mother Teresa University
► American University of Global Peace
► Jeeva Theological Open University
► World Peace Institute of United Nations
► Global Human Peace University
► Bharat Virtual University for Peace and Education
► National Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► International Open University of Humanity Health, Science and Peace, USA
► Harshal University
► International Internship University
► British National University of Queen Mary
► Jordan River University
► Boston Imperial University
► Dayspring Christian University
► South Western American University
► Global Triumph Virtual University
► Vikramshila Hindi Vidyapeeth
► Jnana Deepa University (Pune)
► Oxfaa University
► Mount Elbert Central University
► Maa Bhuvaneshwari International University
► The Institute of Entrepreneurship and Management Studies (IEMS)
► Ecole Superieure Robert de Sorbon
► Central Christian University
► Azteca University
► University of Swahili
► Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Lok Vidyapith, Amravati
► International Human Rights Ambassador International Peace Corps Association
► Indo Global University, Hyderabad
► Mount Elbert Central University
► McSTEM Eduversity, USA
► Social Awareness and Peace University
► Indian School of Management and Studies
► Socrates Social Research University
► International Global Peace University
► Ballsbridge University
► Commonwealth of Dominica
► International Anti-corruption and Human Rights Council
► Bharat Virtual University
► Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Hindi Vidyapith
► The George Washington University of Peace
► Asia Vedic Culture Research University
► Magic Book of Record
► European Digital University (EDU)
► Hessen International University
► Chicago Open University
► Global Conclave Virtual University
► Global Cocord Virtual University
► Cambridge Digital of University
► America Internation University (AIU)
List of NGOs giving fake
awards and degrees:
► Dadasaheb Phalke Icon Awards Film Organisation
► Shri Dadasaheb Phalke International Award Film Foundation
► World Human Protection Commission
► Mahatma Gandhi Global Peace Foundation
► Empower Social and Education Trust
► Nelson Mandela Nobel Award Academy
► Diplomatic Mission Global Peace
