KUWAIT CITY, Oct 5: In a move aimed at strengthening the credibility of education and protecting the labor market from fraudulent qualifications, the Ministry of Higher Education has finalized a new draft law governing the equivalency of academic degrees. The proposed legislation introduces significantly tougher penalties for violators — including imprisonment for up to five years, fines reaching 10,000 Kuwaiti dinars, and potential dismissal from public employment for those found guilty of using or approving non-equivalent degrees.

The new law will replace Law No. 78 of 2019, which was passed by the National Assembly but frozen just four months after its enactment. The updated legislation seeks to close loopholes, ensure accurate accreditation of academic degrees, and prevent their misuse for material or professional gain.

Sources said the Ministry, in coordination with relevant government bodies, reviewed the shortcomings of the 2019 law and drafted more comprehensive provisions to control the misuse of unaccredited qualifications. Under Article 2 of the new law, a specialized committee will be formed by ministerial decision and chaired by the Ministry’s Undersecretary. The committee will include representatives from various government entities, providing greater flexibility compared to the previous version, which mandated participation from specific institutions such as Kuwait University, the Civil Service Bureau, and others.

Article 4 of the new draft law emphasizes that non-equivalent academic degrees will not be recognized by government agencies, public institutions, or licensed private entities. It also prohibits their use in employment, promotion, or any form of material or moral benefit, as well as the use of academic titles in media or public platforms. However, limited exceptions will apply — including those employed before the law takes effect, part-time contributors, scholarship faculty members, and specific categories approved by the committee.

Under Article 5, all applicants for new jobs are required to submit their degree equivalency applications to the Ministry of Higher Education. They may work temporarily for up to one year while their application is being processed, but their employment will be terminated if equivalency is not granted within that period. This provision clarifies the previous law’s vague restrictions.

The draft law introduces harsher penalties for violations. Article 7 stipulates imprisonment of up to one year and fines between 1,000 and 5,000 dinars for using or relying on non-equivalent certificates. Article 8 imposes stricter penalties for officials who knowingly approve such degrees — including imprisonment of up to one year and fines between 3,000 and 5,000 dinars. If the violation leads to personal gain, the penalty increases to three years in prison and a fine up to 10,000 dinars. For public employees, the maximum punishment rises to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 10,000 dinars, and mandatory dismissal from service.

Equivalency Committee and Its Roles

Article 3 outlines seven key responsibilities of the new Equivalency Committee, including:

Article 6 authorizes the Ministry to charge fees for certificate verification and accreditation services, in line with Law No. 1 of 2025. The Ministry may also delegate the verification process to specialized external bodies to confirm the authenticity of academic credentials, collect data, and communicate with issuing institutions. These arrangements must be governed by strict confidentiality and contractual safeguards to protect user rights.

The new draft law represents a decisive step by the Kuwaiti government to enhance academic integrity, safeguard public employment, and ensure that only legitimate qualifications are recognized in the labor market.