Abstract
M.Tech.
There is evidence of a growing concern regarding the authenticity of qualifications
presented at interviews. Today's computer software makes it simple to edit documents,
thereby allowing falsification of information by the unscrupulous. The use of
sophisticated document scanners, printers and copiers further complicates the issue.
The research revolved around an investigation of the need for authentication of education
qualifications and the establishment of the feasibility of doing this by using information
technology and the World Wide Web to allow for efficient and effective verification that
an education qualification was attained at the named higher education institution and that
the results were accurately reflected.
The research method included the use of questionnaires to gather data. Questionnaires
were sent to the registrars of universities and technikons and Human Resources directors
of Gauteng-based employer companies. Responses to the questionnaires and information
gleaned from the literature review were used in the models designed and offered as
solutions to the problem of qualification fraud. The main conclusions drawn from the research were:
Confirmation of the growing incidence of and concern regarding qualification
fraud.
Establishment of the need for a solution to allow authentication of qualifications
by Human Resource practitioners as part of the recruitment process.
The feasibility for this solution to be an information technology solution using
World Wide Web.
The VeriQual model was designed to meet all the research objectives. This innovative
model is deemed to offer an efficient, effective and feasible technology solution to the
problem of qualification fraud in South Africa.