Consumer Council Fiji Chief Executive, Seema Shandil says USP’s claim of being in the top 10 percent of universities in the world is misleading and overstretched at best.

The Consumer Council of Fiji is urging universities to refrain from incorrect statements likely to create a false impression.

It comes after the University of the South Pacific last week claimed that it has been ranked in the top 10 percent of universities in the world.

Consumer Council Fiji Chief Executive, Seema Shandil says USP’s claim is misleading and overstretched at best.

Shandil says USP should exercise greater diligence when making such statements as it impacts stakeholders in the region including current and potential students.

She adds the Council is also concerned with USP’s claim that it is part of an exclusive club of universities.

Shandil says any organization which charges consumers for products and services is essentially engaging in unethical practices by making unsubstantiated claims of exclusivity as a marketing tactic to lure consumers, who are potential students in this case.

She says USP has and continues to contribute to the development of the region, and should place itself above such marketing gimmicks which may bring disrepute.

USP was ranked in the band of 1,000 to 1,200 by Times Higher Education which surveyed 2,000 universities.

Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education, Professor Jito Vanualailai says that based on 20,000 universities globally, the USP position is that the ranking would have the university in the top 10%.