Report reveals high levels of fraud at universities

A government report has revealed widespread fraud and bribery among high-level professors at universities in Mali, and degrees awarded in exchange for cash, reports the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The general auditor’s report issued on 14 May alleges financial mismanagement involving billions in public money, including management irregularities at the University of Bamako between 2010 and 2012 that it said cost the public treasury 2.4 billion CFA (US$3.66 million) of which nearly one quarter of the losses was due to fraud.

The findings have left students concerned that corruption will undermine the value of their degrees and make it harder for them to get jobs in a competitive global marketplace.
Full report on the Thomson Reuters Foundation site