A fake university set up by investigative reporters to expose irregularities in the Polish educational system has received hundreds of applications from hopeful students.
The university, called the Academy of Social Communication and set up by Gazeta Wyborcza, offered a two-year Master degree course in sociology, political science and cultural anthropology. The offer seemed attractive because in Poland it usually takes five years to complete a Master degree and, according to Polish law, it cannot be shorter than nine terms.
The newspaper published an advertisement declaring“Get MA in only two months!”, and launched a web site about the university, which tried to tempt potential students, offering them excellent tutors and the lowest fees.
Names of professors and address of the university were not given. People interested in enrolling could call the office (in fact newspaper’s headquarters) or send an e-mail.
The aim of the set up was to prove that higher education in Poland is in turmoil, with lots of schools operating illegally and offering courses below required teaching standards.
Over 500 people wanted to enroll straight away. In total, over 5,000 people entered the university’s web site and 300 called the office to find out more about the offer. Only 50 people suspected that the university was bogus.
Some potential students wanted to pay the admission fee to make sure that they would get enrolled. If the newspaper had given a bank account number, it would have earned 150,000 zloty (36,000 euro) in only five days.
Not only students, but also tutors easily fell into the trap. Five professors accepted a job offer from the fake university immediately and one contacted the school himself in search of a job.
Two Polish MPs also agreed to give lectures in the newly established university. Tomasz Kammel, a popular TV presenter, was also interested in a contract with the school and was happy to negotiate his salary.
The fake university has also received several offers from newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations concerning advertisements and commercials. Even a security agency contacted the university to propose its service. (mg)