Ministry sparks probe of 10 Italian educational institutions

Universities ministry tells prosecutors that institutions appear to be operating without required accreditation

Italy’s Ministry of Universities and Research (MIUR) has sparked an investigation into the status of at least 10 educational institutions it said might be offering degrees without the necessary credentials.

“The ministry has no power to investigate such institutions, nor does it have sanctioning powers, but it does have the power to report facts of which it has knowledge to those in charge,” MIUR told media including Research Professional News. “And this was done at the instigation of [universities and research] minister [Anna Maria] Bernini.”