Speaker Ranwala’s resignation:

Former MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said that the recent resignation of Speaker ‘Dr’ Asoka Ranwala, following public outcry over his academic qualifications, underscored the need to identify bogus claims.In recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged here with an increasing number of individuals claiming prestigious academic titles, such as ‘Doctor’ or ‘Professor’ without possessing the necessary qualifications to back them up.

The ex-Minister and State Minister said that just because someone introduced him or her as a ‘Doctor’ or ‘Professor’ that did not necessarily mean he or she had earned those titles through legitimate means.

Due to the absence of proper verification methods, many people had started using these titles overnight, with little to no understanding of the rigorous academic processes required to truly achieve them, Dr. Godahewa said, suggesting that the public should explore the proper processes behind earning a doctorate and a professorship so that you can easily verify whether someone is genuinely qualified or not.

THE PROCESS OF EARNING A DOCTORATE

The first step in understanding how to spot bogus qualifications is to recognize what it truly takes to earn a doctorate. While the title “Doctor” may seem simple, obtaining this level of education requires years of hard work, dedication, and a series of academic achievements. Here’s a breakdown of the steps involved:

1. Bachelor’s Degree: The journey to a doctorate typically begins with a bachelor’s degree in a related field. This usually takes 3–4 years of study and is the foundational step in academic education.

2. Master’s Degree (Optional): Some fields, such as engineering, science, or the humanities, may require candidates to complete a master’s degree before they can even apply for a doctoral programme. This adds another 1–2 years of study.

3. Doctoral Programme: Once you’ve completed your bachelor’s (and perhaps master’s) degree, you apply to a university offering a doctoral programme. Acceptance into such programs is highly competitive, and once admitted, students typically engage in advanced coursework and original research.

4. Research and Dissertation: The core of a doctoral programme is conducting original research in your field. This research must contribute new knowledge or insights. The culmination of this work is a dissertation or thesis, which must be rigorously written and submitted for review.

5. Dissertation on Defence: After completing the dissertation, candidates must defend their research in front of a panel of experts. This is a crucial step where candidates are questioned on the methodology, findings, and significance of their work.

6. Awarding the Doctorate: If the dissertation is accepted and successfully defended, the candidate is awarded a doctorate—typically a Ph.D., but there are other types, such as Doctor of Science, Doctor of Education, etc. This title is a recognition of the candidate’s expertise and contribution to their field.

THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A PROFESSOR:

While being a Doctor is an impressive achievement in itself, becoming a Professor involves a different set of qualifications and experience. The path to professorship goes beyond earning a doctorate—it requires a combination of teaching, research, and academic leadership. Here’s a look at what it typically takes:

1. Educational Requirements: Like a Doctorate, becoming a Professor usually requires a Ph.D. or its equivalent in a relevant field. In some cases, individuals may become professors without a Ph.D., but this is rare and often depends on the field and level of expertise.

2. Research and Publications: Professors are expected to contribute to the academic community not only by teaching but also by conducting research. This often involves publishing articles, books, or research papers in peer-reviewed journals or other academic platforms.

3. Post-doctoral Experience: After earning a Ph.D., many aspiring professors engage post-doctoral research positions, commonly known as “postdocs.” This allows them to gain deeper expertise and further contribute to their field while building their academic reputation.

4. Teaching Experience: Teaching experience is crucial for becoming a professor. This may begin with roles as a teaching assistant during a Ph.D. programme and evolve into adjunct positions before securing a full time faculty position.

5. Applying for Faculty Positions: Once candidates have gained sufficient qualifications and experience, they can apply for professorships at universities. This process is highly competitive and often involves a rigorous selection procedure, with candidates needing to demonstrate both teaching ability and research expertise.

6. Promotion to Professor: Once hired, professors usually start at the rank of Assistant Professor and can be promoted to Associate Professor and then Full Professor based on their contributions to teaching, research, and the academic community.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DOCTOR AND A PROFESSOR:

It’s important to understand that being a Doctor and being a Professor are not the same thing. While both are highly respected academic titles, they represent different achievements and career paths.

A Doctor is someone who has completed a Ph.D. or similar doctoral degree, signifying deep expertise in a particular field. This title doesn’t necessarily mean the person is involved in teaching at a university. Many Doctors work in research, industry, healthcare, or other professional roles outside academia.

On the other hand, becoming a Professor requires more than just having a doctoral degree. It involves years of teaching, research, and often administrative contributions to the academic community. A Professor is not only an expert in their field but also a mentor and educator to the next generation of students.

HOW TO VERIFY A GENUINE DOCTOR OR PROFESSOR:

Given the rise of people falsely claiming academic titles, it is important to know how to verify someone’s credentials.

If someone claims to be a Doctor, you can ask:

* From which university did you receive your Ph.D.?

* Where is your Ph.D. officially recorded? (Check with the university or academic bodies.)

* What is the title of your thesis, and where can it be accessed for reference or verification?

Similarly, if someone claims to be a Professor, ask:

* Which academic institution have you taught at?

* For how many years have you taught there, and at what levels?

* What research papers or academic articles have you published? (Check academic databases like Google Scholar or Scopus.)

These simple questions can help public to verify whether someone truly holds these prestigious titles or if they are merely abusing them to gain undue credibility.