Walter Sisulu University says it is still investigating the authenticity of the degrees two senior lecturers obtained from a US university.
In August last year the Daily Dispatch reported that WSU senior lecturers Dr Danie Bessinger and Dr Christoffel Louw obtained Master of Science (Mechanical Engineering) degrees from LaSalle University in the US in 2001.
However, a facility by the name of LaSalle University was shut in 1996 after an investigation by the US crime-fighting unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The FBI investigation found the university to be a “diploma mill”, which sold degrees and diplomas via the Internet for a price of R47000 then.
Six months after the report, WSU said it was still investigating.
This week the Dispatch was told the two lecturers had left the university or were on paid leave.
Spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said the case was not yet concluded and could not say where the lecturers were.
“WSU investigated the allegations and the matter has not been concluded.
“WSU will release a statement once the case has been concluded,” said Tukwayo, who did not respond to questions on whether WSU was checking on the qualifications of other staff members.
Efforts to get hold of Bessinger, Louw and their attorney Andre Schoombie were unsuccessful yesterday.
WSU’s mechanical engineering prospectus said Bessinger and Louw had master’s qualifications among other degrees.
Louw is said to have a doctorate in technology education from WSU; a master’s from LaSalle; and a national higher diploma in mechanical engineering from the Technikon of Orange Free State.
He is also listed as being a registered professional technical engineer and a member of the South African Institute of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE).
Bessinger is listed as having a doctorate in technology education from WSU; master’s from LaSalle; and higher diploma in technical education from the University of Port Elizabeth.
Bessinger is also a registered professional technical engineer and member of SAIMechE.
It is only their degrees from LaSalle University that were being questioned. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
WSU still probing lecturers
In August last year the Daily Dispatch reported that WSU senior lecturers Dr Danie Bessinger and Dr Christoffel Louw obtained Master of Science (Mechanical Engineering) degrees from LaSalle University in the US in 2001.
However, a facility by the name of LaSalle University was shut in 1996 after an investigation by the US crime-fighting unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The FBI investigation found the university to be a “diploma mill”, which sold degrees and diplomas via the Internet for a price of R47000 then.
Six months after the report, WSU said it was still investigating.
This week the Dispatch was told the two lecturers had left the university or were on paid leave.
Spokeswoman Yonela Tukwayo said the case was not yet concluded and could not say where the lecturers were.
“WSU investigated the allegations and the matter has not been concluded.
“WSU will release a statement once the case has been concluded,” said Tukwayo, who did not respond to questions on whether WSU was checking on the qualifications of other staff members.
Efforts to get hold of Bessinger, Louw and their attorney Andre Schoombie were unsuccessful yesterday.
WSU’s mechanical engineering prospectus said Bessinger and Louw had master’s qualifications among other degrees.
Louw is said to have a doctorate in technology education from WSU; a master’s from LaSalle; and a national higher diploma in mechanical engineering from the Technikon of Orange Free State.
He is also listed as being a registered professional technical engineer and a member of the South African Institute of Mechanical Engineering (SAIMechE).
Bessinger is listed as having a doctorate in technology education from WSU; master’s from LaSalle; and higher diploma in technical education from the University of Port Elizabeth.
Bessinger is also a registered professional technical engineer and member of SAIMechE.
It is only their degrees from LaSalle University that were being questioned. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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