International Biographical Centre, Cambridge England

Does anyone have familiarity with this organization in terms of its raison d'etre, mission, authorization to confer awards for scholarly achievements, etc. Although I found a number of individuals who received awards from this organization on the web, I was not able to find a specific webpage that relates to this centre.

Would appreciate feedback.

 

See http://www.melrosepress.co.uk/



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Bill Gossett

 

After looking over the website, I'll venture the following:

raison d'etre: profit
mission: sell more directories
authorization to confer awards: a statement in their business charter

I haven't looked at a Marquis Who's Who in decades, but these seem to be similar publications.

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Bill Gossett

 

Thanks for the input.

I have noticed that there are many individuals in many fields who indicate on their CVs that they have been selected for inclusion in this directory or have been provided with an exalted title. What is the bottomline?

 

Vanity, I would imagine. As John points out in Bears' Guide, the titles can be purchased from numerous sources as easily as fake diplomas are. One of the agents for the U.K. Trinity C&U (a diploma mill) will provide either service.



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Bill Gossett

 

The International Biographical Centre used to be promoted by the phony Sussex College of Technology, on the theme of "Get your doctorate, then get it listed in this prestigious directory."

I sent in their forms 10 or 12 years ago, and they apparently did print my bio -- and my mailbox was not empty again, for a year or more, with opporunities to buy the book, the deluxe edition, the leatherbound edition, to donate one to libraries, to leave one to my heirs, to buy a copy of my listing enlarged on a wooden or brass plaque, on and on and on. Since I did not invest in any of these, I'm afraid I've never seen the product. But clearly, just as with the 'classic' Who's Whos, published by Marquis, there is no vetting of content people submit. The only difference is, perhaps, in how many people are invited to be listed, and how they are chosen. (I was in Who's Who in the West when I was 19, after my first published article, but have never been invited since then.)

John Bear

 

Dr. Bear, thanks for the feedback. On the web, I notice hundreds of individuals who have been deemed to be suitable for inclusion in this directory, including many faculty from different countries including the U.S.. Are their contributions in the area of expertise not actually being reviewed or vette? What about the centre's claim that their research and selection committee has reviewed and selected those faculty for such titles as "International Scientist of the year? They even present gold and silver medals to recipients of their "awards".

There isn't any listing on the centre's webpage as to the names of the individuals who comprise the research and selection committee or the criteria used in the selection process. Any additional thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I am not privy to any 'inside' information, but I am supremely confident that there is no vetting whatever, whether for inclusion or for "person of the year" honors.

A few years ago, I told the story here (well, on a.e.d.) about my friend who, leading a Sierra Club hike, helped an immensely fat man around a narrow bend on a high trail. At camp that night, the man who so grateful, he said, "I'm the editor of Who's Who. I don't care *who* you are; I want to put you in the next edition."

My friend was sent all the necessary forms, but had no interest in being listed; he tossed them out. I retrieved them and filled them out amusingly (so it seemed at the time). I gave this 26-year-old (as I recall) 17 children, made him a retired Colonel, a former Congressman, and a choreographer of elephant dances for the circus. The biography appeared just as written in the next edition.

(The only thing my friend never forgave was that I made him a Republican.)

John Bear

 

Could it be that another institute of higher learning is preparing to offer the same services? I would like to know what are the criteria to be listed in WHO'S WHO ON THE INTERNET or THE OXBRIDGE WHO'S WHO. These two publications (?) are listed with the Florida Department of State as fictitious names of Oxbridge, Ltd.

Yes, Oxbridge Ltd., the same Florida limited partnership that is listed as being one of the owners of record of degree.com, LLC. Yes, the same degree.com that filed a fictitious name registration to operate as The Monterey Institute of Graduate Studies (MIGS). Yes, Oxbridge, Ltd. whose general partner is one William H. Danzig, and whose registered agent is one Josh Bennett, both of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Other fictitious names these owners of MIGS have registered are: LISA ROBINSON, SABRINA MARKS, and EUPHORIA LIFESTYLES. Why would a legitimate company register not one, but two, fictitious names that sound like individuals? And just what, precisely, is Euphoria Lifestyles? Enquiring minds want to know.

 

Good work, Detective Sainz!

You ask, And just what, precisely, is Euphoria Lifestyles? Enquiring minds want to know.

From the International Biographical Dictionary

LIFESTYLES, Euphoria J.
Born on the island of Crete, Greece, in 1951. Third daughter of Plato and Sofia Lifestyles (pronounced "lih-FESS-tuh-leeze"). Came to America in 1972 to compete as "Miss Cretin" in an international beauty pageant.

Following a long career in aluminum siding, one day she clicked the "Lose Weight, Sleep Better, Better Grades, Better Sex" banner she found on www.danzig.com. Within a week, she reported loss of 28 pounds, sweet dreams, a GPA improvement from 1.7 to 3.9, and a wild night out with Don Johnson, Arnold Schwartzenegger, and Mayor Jerry Brown."

When her testimonial letter reached danzig.com, the decision was made to give Ms. Lifestyles her own website, following utterance of the classic dot.com marketing plan, "Don't worry, we'll think of a product or service later." Ms. Lifestyles lives under a freeway bridge just south of Fresno, California with her pit bull Raymond.

 

Dr. Bear, I stand corrected. It appears that Oxford Ltd. has registered three fictitious names that sound like individuals, not two, as I previously stated. I am at a loss to explain how my research did not turn up “Miss Cretin 1972”. I shall have to redouble my investigative efforts next time.

My understanding is the tabloid press reported that the following morning Jerry Brown was overheard stating that he hadn’t had this fun since he was governor and was dating Linda Rondstadt. A hung over Don Johnson, meanwhile, would not comment on how he ended up spending the night with Mr. Schwartzenegger, except to say, that with the proper lighting, Euphoria and Arnold looked very much alike.

I couldn’t agree more with you concerning Oxbridge, Ltd.’s use of classic dot-com marketing plans. It appears that "Don't worry, we'll think of a product or service later." applies to all of their fictitious names and enterprises including MIGS. I guess we’ll just have to stay tuned. ;-)

Gus Sainz