getting to groningen: new developments in combatting admissions fraud
TRANSCRIPT
Getting to GroningenNew Developments in Combatting Admissions Fraud
NAFSA Region VIII Conference, 12 Nov 2015
On our journey today...
Ken McCague
Old Dominion University,
Virginia
Cheryl DarrupBoychuck
FundsV and USjournal.com
Sonya Reneberg
National Student Clearinghouse
Margit A. Schatzman
Educational Credential
Evaluators, Inc.
Learning Objectives1.Understand current vulnerabilities
within the international admissions process
Learning Objectives1.Understand current vulnerabilities
within the international admissions process
2.Gain confidence in authenticating data related to financial documentation and academic transcripts
Learning Objectives1.Understand current vulnerabilities
within the international admissions process
2.Gain confidence in authenticating data related to financial documentation and academic transcripts
3.Define ways to improve the efficiency and integrity of the process, via initiatives such as the Groningen Declaration
Groningen Declaration GoalsThe Groningen Declaration seeks common ground in best serving the academic and professional mobility needs of citizens worldwide by bringing together key stakeholders in the Digital Student Data Ecosystem.
Citizens worldwide should be able to consult and share their authentic educational data with whomever they want, whenever they want, wherever.
Groningen Declaration Quick Facts
• 2012• Signatories
–Over 27 signatories in over 17 countries
• Task Force on Verification Policy and Best Practices in Verification
The experiences of two Groningen Declaration Signatories
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
The Association for International Credential Evaluation Professionals (TAICEP)
Recurring Themes1. Improve efficiency2. Improve integrity
Recurring Themes1. Improve efficiency2. Improve integrity . . . . . Detect fraud
Fraudulent documents are rare.● INTCAS (UK) = 99.03% clearance
Fraudulent documents are rare.● INTCAS (UK) = 99.03% clearance
● Student visas to Australia2012 = 1,978 cancelled2014 = 7,061 cancelled
Fraudulent documents are rare.● INTCAS (UK) = 99.03% clearance
● Student visas to Australia2012 = 1,978 cancelled2014 = 7,061 cancelled
(out of 404,000+)
Academic Credential Authentication≅ Financial Document Authentication
Academic Credential Authentication≅ Financial Document Authentication
➔ Fabrication➔ In-house Document
Manufacture➔ Misleading Translation➔ Alteration
Which type of fraud is most common?
Which of these two is more common?
FabricationIn-house
Document Manufacture
Fabrication
Which of these two is more common?
Misleading Translation
Alteration
Alteration
Which of these two is more common?
Fabrication
Alteration
Alteration
Ken McCagueAssistant Director of International Admissions
Old Dominion University
Institutional Perspective● ODU at a glance● Office Organization
Document Authentication● Requirements● Type of Funding
Cases: India, Africa, China
Sonya Reneberg
National Student Clearinghouse
Cheryl DarrupBoychuckOwner / Chief International Executive Officer
FundsV and USjournal.com
The solution?
The solution?Improve
efficiency and integrity.
Proving Financial Capacity: How it works
Student uploads his or her own bank datato a student-oriented profile on a secure platform.
Proving Financial Capacity: How it works
Student uploads his or her own bank datato a student-oriented profile on a secure platform.
Student invites his or her financial sponsor to upload bank datato his or her profile.
Proving Financial Capacity: How it works
Student uploads his or her own bank datato a student-oriented profile on a secure platform.
Student invites his or her financial sponsor to upload bank datato his or her profile.
Additional data and / or documents are authenticated and uploadedso the authority may view the profile.
Sonya RenebergBusiness Development ExecutiveNational Student Clearinghouse
Mission:We serve the education community by facilitating
the exchange and understanding of student enrollment, performance and related information.
National Student Clearinghouse● One of the original signatories of the
Groningen Declaration in April 2012
National Student Clearinghouse● One of the original signatories of the
Groningen Declaration in April 2012● G.R.E.E.N. -- Global Registrar
EduRecord Exchange Network
National Student Clearinghouse● One of the original signatories of the
Groningen Declaration in April 2012● G.R.E.E.N. -- Global Registrar
EduRecord Exchange Network● More info at
StudentClearinghouse.org
Ways the Clearinghouse can support the fight against admissions fraud
1.Transcript and Data Exchange Services
Ways the Clearinghouse can support the fight against admissions fraud
1.Transcript and Data Exchange Services
2. The China Pilot with CHESSIC and CDGDC (Spring 2016)
Ways the Clearinghouse can support the fight against admissions fraud
1.Transcript and Data Exchange Services
2. The China Pilot with CHESSIC and CDGDC
(Spring 2016)
3. Verification Services
Margit Schatzman, PresidentEducation Credential Evaluators
Challenges we face as a community as we move the digital initiatives forward.
Strategies credential evaluators have used that have worked for them in bridging the paper vs. digital divide.
Top Five Challenges1. Dealing with an institutional administration that insists
on receiving paper credentials for applicants.2. Having to have two systems running at once -
digital/electronic and paper. 3. Technical integration (sending and receiving institutions
might have different technical standards, there might be language and other communication issues while setting up the electronic exchange)
4. Vetting third parties involved in data transfer5. Not knowing what's out there, and what you can expect
from different countries and institutions.
The most helpful things credential evaluators are doing to manage these challenges.
Helpful Strategies…1. Gathering information and becoming informed about
the digital systems available in countries from where we receive documents.
2. Becoming active in digital initiatives, such as EAIE's DSDP interest area and the Groningen Declaration Network
3. Developing internal policies that encourage acceptance of digital information
4. Working pro-actively with institutional IT staff to establish systems that will promote ease of transfer of digital data
More Helpful Strategies…5. Developing and reviewing documentation requirements that are specific to the country or institution based on their ability to transfer student data digitally, and providing that information to applicants6. Avoiding a one-size-fits-all documentation policy when the types of documents being sent and received varies so much 7. Be proactive; don't wait to stumble upon databases or verification sources - do research, share information with colleagues, develop relationships
You are most welcome to contact us!
Ken McCague
Cheryl DarrupBoychuck
Sonya Reneberg
reneberg@Student
Clearinghouse.org
Margit A. Schatzman
Getting to GroningenNew Developments in Combatting Admissions Fraud
NAFSA Region VIII Conference, 12 Nov 2015