Issa, dean of faculty of Arabic Language in a specialized university in the Kingdom, has filed a lawsuit alleging that 20 of the teaching staff where he works hold fake and unrecognized doctorate degrees. He told Okaz/Saudi Gazette that most of these degrees were obtained from Columbus University, a US-based operation that sells what it says are degrees and had a Riyadh office that was sealed off because of its illegal activities, and from Nileen University in Sudan, which is not recognized. The staff that held degrees from Columbus and Nileen didn't get them accredited from the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Al-Issa said. He said he reported the matter to the university's president to look into it and take action. Judge Abdul Gadier Al-Shalan who presides over the 7th Circuit at the Board of Grievances in Riyadh has set May 8 to look into the case.
