Prof Sir Deian Hopkin, former vice-chancellor of London South Bank University, said the developments were worrying.

BBC: University of Wales degree and visa scam exposed by

The report was funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation but carried out by Professor Philip Leather of London's South Bank University and Professor Moira Munro of Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh.

BBC: Cowboy fears stop essential maintenance

The shoes were developed in collaboration with Darren James and Dr. David Cook, biomechanists at London's South Bank University, with an ergonomically optimized "Microwobbleboard" that FitFlop says encourages activation of the leg muscles.

WSJ: Tina Gaudoin on Style: Shifting to High-Tech Gear