MySijil application helps to identify fake academic certificates

By Ratcharathan A/L Rawe Shanggar

KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 (Bernama) -- Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Bhd (PNMB) has developed the MySijil mobile application to combat the issue of fake certificates which is becoming more prevalent, especially among public and private institutions of higher learning.

PNMB Head of Security Design and Security Printing Unit Razlan Abdullah said the MySijil application was developed to scan higher learning institutions' certificates or security documents produced by PNMB to verify its authenticity.

"The app which was developed in 2013 is currently being used by 17 higher education institutions including International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, and Infrastructure University Kuala Lumpur.

"It is also being used by Kolej Universiti Poly-Tech MARA Kuala Lumpur, and the Technical University of Malaysia," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview, recently.

He noted that low-security features in certificates, diplomas, and degrees awarded by higher learning institutions in this country have allegedly given way to fake degree scams.

Razlan said the certificates and other documents printed by PNMB were loaded with additional security features, including the use of security paper, security design, security ink, secret code, serial number, and hidden watermark, which further enhance the security level of the documents.

Meanwhile, he also said furnishing smartcard with high-security multi-authentication is vital to curtail instances of fraud and identity theft in this modern era.

“We should have all our personal information in just one card and not have to worry about it being duplicated or used for fraudulent purposes. Thus, the safety of the smartcard is very important,” he added.

Razlan noted that PNMB's smartcard production facility is equipped with the latest state-of-the-art card production machines including card making, chip embedding, inlay making, offset printing, and card personalisation capable of producing 12 million smartcards yearly.

PNMB is Chief Government Security Office (CGSO), Europay Mastercard Visa (EMV), Payment Card Industry (PCI) and ISO 14298 (Integraf) certified and partners with major international chip manufacturers and Cybersecurity Malaysia for use of chips and operating systems at the highest security levels.

-- BERNAMA