Queen's University of Brighton and honourary doctorate issue

Here's an interesting statement - the circumstances I cannot determine, but interesting nonetheless.

http://www.asiawind.com/pub/hksr/news/040426/09-47

According to Mr. Zhou, it was represented to him that QUB was
an educational institution and he was awarded the degree of
Honorary Doctor of Philosophy at the graduation ceremony held
on 16 August 2003 in Hong Kong and a degree certificate was
issued to him.

Reference is made to the composite offer document dated 5
November 2003 (the "Document") and the announcements dated
15 October 2003 and 26 November 2003 the "Joint
Announcements") jointly issued by Smartgood and the Company.
Terms used in this announcement shall have the same meanings
as those defined in the Document and the Joint Announcements
unless the context requires otherwise.

As set out in the Document and the announcement jointly issued
by Smartgood and the Company dated 26 November 2003, Smartgood would try to ascertain whether the Queen's University of Brighton ("QUB") existed and whether QUB was accredited to
have granted the "honorary degree" to Mr. Zhou. Enquiries with
representatives of QUB in Hong Kong and searches on the company records kept by the California Secretary of State have been made. The searches on the company records disclosed that The Queen's University of Brighton (QUB) Limited was incorporated on 18 February 2003 as a California company. According to the response of QUB, it represented, among others, that (i) QUB is an institute offering distance-learning, off-campus,
off-shore courses to international students; (ii) QUB has the
right to grant professional degrees to candidates who have
fulfilled the requirements of QUB according to the articles
of incorporation; and (iii) accreditation and recognition by
other bodies are not requirements for degree granting.

According to Mr. Zhou, it was represented to him that QUB was
an educational institution and he proceeded with the
application to QUB for the honorary degree of Doctor of
Philosophy without taking further enquiries into the
background of QUB. On 16 August 2003, he was awarded the degree of Honorary Doctor of Philosophy at the graduation ceremony held in Hong Kong and a degree certificate was issued to him.

This announcement does not constitute any representation by
Smartgood, the Company and/or their respective directors on
whether QUB exists or whether QUB is an authorized educational
institution accredited to grant honorary degree of Doctor of
Philosophy as no conclusion is reached on such issues by the
parties and each such party expressly disclaims any liability
whatsoever in respect thereof.

By order of the board of
Smartgood Investments Limited
Zhou Weirong
Director

By order of the board of
Tem Fat Hing Fung (Holdings) Limited
Zhou Weirong
Chairman

Hong Kong, 23 April 2004