The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has identified three fake foreign university branch campuses operating illegally in the country and cautioned students not to enroll in them.

The institutions are America World University (USA), Trinity University (USA), and the Spiritual Institute of New York, according to a statement issued by the UGC.

The commission confirmed that none of these universities have received any form of approval from the government or the UGC to operate in Bangladesh.

Dr. Shamsul Arefin, Director of the Public Relations and Publications Department at UGC, said the issue came to light after Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited sought verification of certificates belonging to two students claiming degrees from America World University and Trinity University, UNB reports.

“During the verification process, the commission discovered the existence of these unauthorized branch campuses,” Dr. Arefin said, adding that no such names appear on the list of proposed universities submitted to the UGC by the Education Ministry.

The UGC noted that several media reports have highlighted the operation of unapproved foreign university branches, tutorial centers, and study centers across the country. These institutions — lacking any legal authorization — offer bachelor’s, master’s, MPH, MBA, MPhil, and PhD degrees, all of which are illegal under national law.

The commission warned that many students have been deceived by these entities, paying large sums of money in exchange for worthless certificates.

To address the issue, the UGC has sent formal letters to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), urging immediate action against those responsible.

Dr. Arefin stressed the importance of swift and effective measures to protect students from further exploitation and to ensure that only accredited institutions are allowed to operate in the country.