In missive, “Ali’s doctoral degree is an earned credential” (Aug 22), Dr Devanand Bhagwan chastised SN for referring in editorial, “Promises to the electorate” (Aug 19) to President Ali as “Ali” rather than “Dr Ali”. He also explained the difference between earned and honorary doctorates to distinguish them from say degrees obtained from unaccredited universities or diplomas purchased from universities without walls that don’t have an approved course of studies. In Guyana, some people subscribe to doctor politics as it carries certain respect and honor, some even referring themselves as Dr even when they haven’t earned any or have fake (kak) degrees.
In previous references to or mentions of President Irfaan Ali in SN, he was referred to as “Dr”. There was no disrespect in calling him Ali if earlier identified as President or Mr in a write up.
“President” is an honorific title that signifies respect. No need to add Mr or Dr in front of his name. Adding “Dr”, off course, would have identified his academic achievement and add to his title — no harm done. A mark of respect does not have to title the person every time his or her name appears in a writing except for religious figures like The pope, Swami, Imam, Pandit, Father, Ayatollah, Bhai, Bahin, etc.
In general, the rule is once a person is titled early in a writing as a mark of respect, there is no need to continuously refer to him or her with the title. So, for example, after writing President Ali or President Trump or Prime Minister Modi, one can refer to them by last name only; it is not a mark of disrespect. Similarly, after Dr Irfaan Ali or Dr Randy Persaud or Mr Aubrey Norton, one can refer to them as Ali or Persaud or Norton. Of course, all over the country, President Irfaan Ali is popularly known as Irfaan and people fondly call him Irfaan. No disrespect intended! The President is not offended when ordinary people and the public at large calls him Irfaan. He loves it as he sees himself as one of them.
On the subject of earned and accredited degrees, Dr Ali’s PhD is from an accredited university (UWI). An Honorary degree is granted for achievement and not for a course of studies. Bharrat Jagdeo and Priya Manickchand, among others, received honorary doctorates from accredited universities. They can or may use the title of Dr. Priya does not.
In general, a student pursues PhD (EdD) after earning a Masters degree from an accredited institution. And a person pursues a Masters after earning a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. In USA, a BA degree requirements is about 128 credits or approximately 45 courses depending on the number of credits per course; my BS in Bio-Chem was 132 credits, but because I did a double major in social sciences, I ended up doing 168 credits. A MA (MS or MPhil) is at least ten courses plus papers, exams (maybe a comprehensive), foreign language other than your native one, and possibly a thesis. A thesis is a paper that could be about a 100 pages or even longer on a new topic. The PhD is about ten courses and maybe statistics, the requirements for the MA (MS or MPhil) plus written comprehensives, oral exams, a dissertation of a couple hundred pages on a new concept never studied before, and a viva or defense of the dissertation. I pursued multiple doctorates in different disciplines that required a lot of course work, writings, and exams. A dissertation can be rejected or requires revision before PhD is awarded. Some institutions also required at least two journal publications.
Some individuals pursued on line degrees (including PhD) that lack the rigor (and learning from in person discussion) of in class studies in a traditional classroom setting. And some have pursued research PhD especially in the natural sciences; that’s a specialist degree.
And there are individuals who studied religion (theology) and awarded a doctorate in Christianity or Islam at theological seminaries or universities. Their requirements are different from a traditional subject areas degree. They can use Dr as they earned degree. There is no known doctoral program in Hinduism, or Hindu thought, not even in India; Hinduism is marginalized in the education system. One is being developed at the Benaras Hindu University.
There are individuals who purchased a PhD from a non accredited university or was awarded one from a unaccredited institution; several Guyanese have PhDs in Guyana that are not recognized outside of the country. It is unethical to use the title Dr when it is purchased. it is misleading and a kind of educational fraud to use it for employment. I note that several individuals who purchased doctorates have stopped placing Dr in front of their names after being exposed. Others don’t take the risk of being exposed and embarrassment.
