[Nitramp]

While the cases you cite are probably different, not all countries require people to actually attend a University where they get their Doctorate. E.g. here in Germany, you are required to write a Doctor's thesis (that needs to be accepted by a Professor) and pass an oral exam, but there are usually no required courses.

I think historically it was not uncommon for people to just submit a thesis, but nowadays nearly everyone getting a PhD will do so while being at the University and in close collaboration with his Doctoral advisor.

[KoZeN]

Fair point, the people I am referencing blatantly purchased their PhD without ever sitting a single exam or writing a single paper.

[michael_dorfman]

From a reputable, accredited university?

I think that's the slippery slope that the Prof in question is worried about. Right now, a PhD from the University of Manitoba should hold more value than a purchased one from a diploma mill. If enough of the requirements are waived, this may no longer be the case.

[dhimes]

Unless he is referring to "honorary" doctorates, which are an entirely different conversation. These are sometimes given for reasons that may make it look like they were "purchased."

[tjr]

E.g. here in Germany, you are required to write a Doctor's thesis (that needs to be accepted by a Professor) and pass an oral exam, but there are usually no required courses.

Any specific examples of this? (In Germany or elsewhere?)

[Nitramp]

Well, you can look at the individual University's pages. Having courses in a PhD, or having something like a "PhD program" in general, is still very rare.

The common model is to take a job as an assistant researcher with the chair of your Professor, work on your PhD thesis and papers 50% of the time, and be treated like cheap slave labour by your professor the other 95% (sic!) of the time.

[mwerty]

Albert Einstein