A developmental warning on ‘Fake’ Degrees

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has once again issued a warning to students, parents, and the public at large regarding the spurt of fake degrees offered by unrecognized institutions. The warning comes on the heels of drastic action initiated against 12 institutions found in contravention of the UGC Act, as a testament to the hazards presented by sham education providers.

Only those universities formed under a State Act, Central Act, or Provincial Act—or those specially empowered under the Act—are allowed to award degrees under the UGC Act, 1956. Any degree granted by an unrecognized university is not valid for higher education admissions or employment purposes, leaving unsuspecting students in a predicament.

ACTIONS AGAINST ILLEGAL UNIVERSITIES

The crackdown on fake universities is not a recent activity. The UGC, along with state governments and law enforcement agencies, has been making efforts to close such institutions and prosecute the culprits. Last year, State Education Minister Dr. Sukanta Majumdar revealed in the Lok Sabha that 21 colleges had been listed as fraudulent on the UGC website. He also highlighted the role of state governments in enacting laws against such frauds.

Since 2014, 12 fake universities have been closed down, with legal action against a few more in the process. The UGC has also asked state Chief Secretaries and Union Territory administrators to speed up action against such fake institutions to protect students from being duped.

LIST OF BOGUS UNIVERSITIES

As part of its continuing drive, the UGC has identified the following institutions as fake universities:

Andhra Pradesh: Christ New Testament Deemed University (Guntur), Bible Open University of India (Visakhapatnam)

Delhi: AIIPHS, Commercial University Ltd., United Nations University, Vocational University, ADR-Centric Juridical University, Indian Institute of Science and Engineering, Viswakarma Open University for Self-Employment, Adhyatmik Vishwavidyalaya.

Karnataka: Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society.

Kerala: St. John's University (Kishanattam), International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine (Kozhikode)

Maharashtra: Raja Arabic University (Nagpur)

Puducherry: Sree Bodhi Academy for Advanced Learning

Uttar Pradesh: Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith (Prayagraj), Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University (Aligarh), Bhartiya Shiksha Parishad (Lucknow), Mahamaya Technical University (Noida)

West Bengal: Indian Institute of Alternative Medicine (Kolkata), Institute of Alternative Medicine and Research (Kolkata)

ENSURING A SECURE EDUCATION FUTURE

In a world where education is the key to opportunity, parents and students need to stay awake. The UGC also keeps updating its website and social media accounts with alerts to keep students from falling into these traps. Further, FIRs have been registered against the operators of these bogus institutions, and show-cause notices have been served on those who have been issuing duplicate degrees.

In order to secure their future, students need to check the accreditation of any university before joining. A degree from an unaccredited institution is nothing but a useless piece of paper, which cannot open the doors of higher studies or job opportunities. Informed choice, along with stringent enforcement measures, is the only means to counter this evil effectively.

It is not only the government's responsibility to combat fake degrees but also that of society as a whole. We need to demand responsibility and make sure that all potential students are given the education they deserve.