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Last week, The Straits Times reported that at least 218 people - mostly businessmen, lecturers and financial consultants - in Singapore had fake degrees.
In the same report, the English daily had identified bogus degree mills from the United States, including Preston University, Wisconsin International University and Kennedy-Western University.
In addition, the paper had also highlighted graduates from these universities who are prominent figures in Singapore society.
One of these graduates featured in the report was 'Dr' T. Chandroo, who runs a chain of 60 Montessori kindegartens here and abroad.
'Dr' Chandroo holds a doctorate from Preston University.
The report has resulted in a backlash by Preston University, which has taken out a full-page advertisement in today's copy of the Straits Times asking for an apology from the daily, alleging that the report was "erroneous" and "shameful".
This is the letter that was published:
It is disappointing that The Straits Times articles of August 29, 2008, "At least 218 here have off-the-shelf degrees" and Aug 30 2008, "Degree of Deception" contained so many factual errors about Preston University. The articles' research was superficial and simply repeated erroneous assumptions and untrue innuendo from other writers. The gratuitous denigration of local Preston graduates was shameful, and deserves a formal apology. Preston's legal and accreditation status is prominently described on the school's website: www.Preston.edu. Preston is legally licensed and authorized to operate by the State of Alabama, USA. Preston is not accredited, true; but a degree mill, absolutely not!
Had The Straits Times reporter investigated more deeply she would have discovered Preston's strict adherence to widely accepted academic standards. Preston rejects any type of non-academic transfer credit. Preston students complete real academic course work in rigorous programs. There is no short cut to a degree through Preston: graduates EARN their degrees!
The US Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) clearly state the fully voluntary nature of accreditation in the USA. They note that accreditation is not appropriate for every school. Both agencies caution that a school's accreditation status should never be the sole criteria for assessing the quality or validity of an institution.
The Straits Times reporter used the fact that Preston had moved to a new location in the USA as evidence of the school's disrepute. In 2007, for the first time in its 14 year history, Preston moved from the least populated state in the USA (Wyoming, pop. 500,000) to Alabama which has much greater academic and business support resources; hardly a reason for such disrespect. Your careless inclusion of Preston University in the sensational reporting about degree mills is inexcusable by a reputable paper as the Straits Times.
While traditional schools are rejecting students due to lack of seats, Preston University is fulfilling its primary mission by offering high quality, high value educational opportunities to the under served working adults in Singapore, Asia and other countries of the world.
Dr. Jerry P. Haenisch, Chancellor
Preston University
2520 Fairlane Drive, Suite 360
Montgomery, AL 36116 USA
Chancellor@Preston.edu
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