Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Saudi Council of Engineers (SCE) has seized fake engineering diplomas from 700 fake technicians and 200 engineers in different specialties last year, an Arabic daily reported.

Abdulnasser Al-Abdulatif, SCE spokesman, said the council’s role is to double-check the authenticity of diplomas and certificates of all applicants wishing to be members of the council.

The SCE regulations state that anyone who wishes to have his diploma or certificate accredited by the council should file an application, which if approved, can allow him to practice the profession across the Kingdom. Violators will be fined.

One of the SCE requirements state that the applicant should have an accredited degree from a Saudi university or an equivalent from outside the Kingdom. The applicant must comply with the code of ethics. If a person practices the engineering profession without professional accreditation, he will be banned from practicing and may face a fine of up to SR1 million.

Most of the seized diplomas were issued by fake or unaccredited institutions. The council has so far confiscated 2,062 bogus certificates since its inception.