Probe Launched into Universities' Use of Foreign Professors for Alleged Ranking Inflation
The Ministry of Education has officially launched an investigation into allegations that domestic universities have utilized foreign professors to boost their international ranking scores. This action follows criticism that some universities focused solely on improving ranking indicators without engaging in actual research or educational activities. Allegations have been raised that major universities invited prolific foreign scholars as adjunct professors, merely listing their names to improve university rankings without actual lectures or research collaboration.
On the 12th, the Ministry of Education sent official notices to about 10 universities classified among the top tiers of the QS World University Rankings, requesting submission of lists of their adjunct and invited foreign professors, along with supporting documents for educational activities, joint research, and academic exchange achievements. Universities ranked within the top 400 in this year's QS evaluation are subject to the investigation. The scope includes 11 universities: Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, POSTECH, Sungkyunkwan University, Hanyang University, UNIST, Kyung Hee University, DGIST, GIST, and Sejong University.
While universities have explained that these actions were intended to expand international cooperation, academics have criticized them for neglecting research ethics in their pursuit of higher rankings. The Ministry plans to review the submitted materials by the end of this month to determine whether the invited distinguished foreign researchers genuinely contributed to academic advancement or were merely enlisted for their 'credentials.' The Ministry intends to take strict measures if it is found that no substantial academic exchange took place.
However, questions are being raised about the effectiveness of this investigation, as it is being conducted through written inquiries relying primarily on the universities' own accounts, without on-site checks or official evaluations by the education authorities. Due to the structural limitations of depending entirely on 'self-verification' materials submitted by the accused institutions, there are concerns that the investigation might result in a superficial review, effectively granting a 'clean slate' by accepting the universities' explanations at face value. The key concern is whether the authorities can objectively and systematically verify the supporting documents that may only serve to corroborate the universities' claims.