OECD report will warn of degree mills

http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1087373261659

Demand for higher education abroad continues to grow fast - the number in English-speaking countries is expected to rise from 1m last year to 2.6m by 2020. But the countries that will derive the greatest benefit from this growth will be those that are most sensitive to the quality of the education they offer. The OECD report highlights the threat posed by degree mills that churn out low-quality qualifications and bogus colleges that sell worthless degrees.

Most host countries regulate their higher education institutions through accreditation and inspection systems. But crummy courses and fake degrees are often marketed only abroad, and can undermine the reputation of genuine qualifications in the global market for higher education. Regulators need to be vigilant if this valuable export industry is to be protected.

Cheers,

George