The title of this article is inspired by the famous movie “Butterfly Hunter” and the book “Spy Hunter” by British author Peter Wright. The “degree hunter” is Saudi activist Muwafaq Al-Ruwaili, who never accepted the widespread allegations of forgery, impersonation, and false academic titles, including fake or unrecognized master’s and doctoral degrees that he saw.
Determined to take action, he has devoted much of his time to exposing such individuals and reporting them to the authorities to the best of his ability. The latest revelation is a video of a so-called “non-gala” party held by a British university with the more enticing name “American” to celebrate the graduation of its final-year students.
The video showed several “graduates,” most of whom were from Kuwait, with their names and photos displayed as they received their degrees. However, these individuals never left their offices or homes to attend any classes or receive any education in exchange for their degrees. The university is commercial and unrecognized, yet its degrees are held by a “constellation” of influential, reputed, and respected individuals in society.
Recently, a citizen was sentenced to seven years in prison for using a forged high school diploma at his job, along with a fine of KD 143,000, equivalent to twice the salary he received based on his fake academic certificate.
This is part of the government’s efforts to verify academic certificates of employees in both the public and private sectors, albeit progressing slowly. Government sources have reiterated the issue’s priority and promised to set a timetable for quick completion. However, seven months have passed since that announcement, and it remains unclear whether the wheels of reform have begun to turn with the urgency required. It is worth noting that high-level directives have been issued to government agencies to identify employees who have refused to submit their certificates and to take legal action against them.
The inspection and verification process must also be expedited, with those involved referred to the Public Prosecution Office. They face serious charges, including embezzlement of public funds, forgery, and fraud to unlawfully obtain benefits and privileges. These offenses carry prison terms of up to seven years, and those found guilty must repay double the salaries and bonuses they received. Since the announcement of these strict measures, hundreds of employees who previously refused to submit their certificates have filed retirement applications, raising suspicions about their credentials. Employment records will be thoroughly reviewed and scrutinized, even for those hired years ago. Legal action will be taken against anyone suspected of forgery. Also, the government has instructed cultural offices abroad to intensify communication with foreign universities to verify the authenticity of certificates issued by them. Government sources have confirmed that the verification of certificates will extend beyond the public sector to include private sector employees as well.
The Public Authority for Manpower has already started requiring all non- Kuwaiti employees to submit their academic certificates for data verification as a condition for renewing work and residency permits. The sources also stated that local certificates will be examined to ensure their authenticity and to detect any forgery. They confirmed that all administrative procedures are being conducted in coordination with the relevant authorities.
By Ahmad alsarraf
email: [email protected]
