PNG University Introduces Secure Certificates to Fight Fraud

Papua New Guinea’s premier university, the University of Papua New Guinea, has rolled out a new system aimed at tackling certificate fraud, marking a first for PNG as it introduces digitally secured graduation credentials.

The move was announced by Vice Chancellor Ian Findlay at the opening of the institution’s weeklong graduation ceremony, where he outlined the university’s efforts to safeguard academic qualifications.

Under the new system, each diploma and degree certificate carries a QR code that can be scanned to verify its authenticity. The feature allows employers, institutions and the public to confirm a graduate’s identity, qualification and details instantly.

Professor Findlay said the initiative is designed to protect graduates and restore confidence in academic credentials at a time when fraudulent certificates are becoming increasingly common.

He noted that the spread of fake qualifications has become a growing concern both internationally and within Papua New Guinea, with estimates suggesting that a significant portion of certificates in circulation may not be genuine.

The Vice Chancellor said the upgraded certificates include advanced security features intended to prevent tampering and duplication, ensuring that qualifications issued by the university remain credible.

He added that recent incidents of identity fraud have reinforced the need for stronger systems, describing the initiative as a step in the right direction to protect the integrity of higher education in PNG.