Exam paper theft investigation update

Investigations into the exam paper theft that was announced by Saxion on 15 February are still ongoing.

On Thursday, 14 April, police arrested a fourth suspect. This person is suspected of being involved in the selling of exams to students/persons. Based on interim investigation results, the Saxion employee who was already suspected of exam paper theft has been dismissed.

Amnesty scheme results

Students who had made unlawful use of prior access to exam questions were able to take advantage of the amnesty scheme until 15 April. The amnesty scheme has led to two students who admitted their involvement and there have been a number of responses via the hotline. Their unlawfully obtained exam results have been declared invalid and they will have to resit the exams in which they cheated. The reactions were investigated and have resulted in a better insight into the theft. An internal investigation committee has been set up to investigate reports regarding involvement in the theft of exam questions.

Anka Mulder, President of the Executive Board: "The preliminary results of our internal investigation, which includes the amnesty scheme, sadly confirms our suspicions about the theft of exam questions. Very few people have made use of the amnesty scheme, however we will continue with our investigation and do our utmost to leave no stone unturned. Based on the information we now have, we are going to look for ways to protect students as much as possible who took these exams honestly and with a clear conscience. These students should be able to progress without any unnecessary study delay and without any doubts concerning the value of their degree or first-year certificate."

The reliability of exams is paramount to students and there should be no doubt whatsoever that the value of a Saxion degree is beyond reproach. The theft of exam questions, the selling and trading of these to students can undermine this value and is a very serious matter indeed. If investigations into individual students show that they have committed fraud then they will still be penalised for this in an appropriate manner.