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DCC Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of the peer reviewed academic publication Fake Degrees and Fraudulent Credentials in Higher Education. Joanne Duklas is a contributing chapter author. Her work examines the history of digitization in Canada in postsecondary education assessment practice, international exemplars, Conventions and new technology.

Chapter 4: Bridging to Tomorrow: An Historical and Technological Review of Credential Exchange Within Canada

Abstract:

Canadian higher education assessment practices for admission and transfer
are contextually situated in that they are informed and influenced by local
government legislation and binding policy directives, quality assurance
frameworks, and institutional policies and procedures within colleges
and universities. The opportunity exists to embrace this diversity in all its
complexity while providing system level technical supports to aid quality
assured assessment practices. This opportunity is readily apparent in the area
of document and credential delivery. The dual goals of facilitating learner
mobility and reducing document fraud are being supported by existing and
emerging technology which is in turn helping to evolve quality assured
credential recognition assessment and document handling practices. The case
for change is clear. The research in one study cited below indicates of 2.6
million background checks found over 40% respectively exhibited evidence of
lies about work history and education achieved, and more than 20% presented
false credentials and licenses (Babcock, 2003). Another organization found
more than 40% of CVs had education discrepancies, a 7% increase from the
prior year (Prospects HEDD, Advice and guidance on degree fraud: A toolkit
for employers. Prospects, Manchester, 2017).

Digitization and technology have improved electronic exchange practices in
the areas of document and data management and reduced occurrences of fraud
thereby encouraging greater trust in the verification and assessment process
for admission and transfer. This chapter explores the history and identifies
how available and emerging technology at the system level is resulting in
new opportunities to collaborate and address document fraud for colleges and
universities using innovative technology.

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