I refer to the report, "Fancy setting, worthless degrees" (The Straits Times, Oct 22).

I commend the newspaper for highlighting the case, and hope it will alert students and parents to the true circumstances surrounding privately offered degree courses.

Students considering tertiary studies in any country and their parents should apply only to accredited institutions to ensure that the degree earned later is recognised worldwide.

I wonder how many people realise that many private schools in Singapore link up with foreign universities and colleges which, although completely legitimate as degree-granting institutions, are generally poorly regarded in their home countries and by their own nationals.

Many students may feel that, come what may, a degree is a degree - only to be rudely awakened when they subsequently apply for employment and find that their newly-earned qualifications are not accepted by potential employers.

Perhaps the Ministry of Education could help by having a list of universities and degrees which are genuine and recognised in Singapore.

Mr Sebastian Tan

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