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What’s in the fate of blacklisted deemed universities’ students?

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In a hard-hitting judgement, the Supreme Court ruled that the engineering degrees awarded by deemed universities through the correspondence mode during the period 2001-2005 are invalid. The verdict also ordered a CBI enquiry on regulatory authorities who passed approvals to these institutions for those courses.

The contentious universities started their correspondence courses without obtaining the approval from neither the University Grants Commission (UGC), or from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), as the court opined that technical education could not be imparted through correspondence mode.

The judgement has the potential of making many of those students unqualified for the jobs they are currently engaged with, and taking away their livelihood, and placing a blot on their academic credentials.

It would have been large-hearted if only the verdict carried “prospective” effect. What if it were medical degrees? Is it possible to undo the clinical treatments given to various patients during the said period?

Why judge again?

The Court has directed the AICTE to hold a test for those ‘graduates’ to enable them to retain the degree/s, and up to two chances will be given to clear the papers.  What will happen to those who “fail” in the re-test?

While conceding that some of the institutions may have indulged in malpractices, illegally advanced their commercial interests, and handled academic programmes that were forbidden to them, and the regulators fail to oversee the merits, it is deplorable that the students had to face the pain of being “re-tested”, or delete the degree from the candidate’s academic profile, after having had toiled for it.  Unfortunately, these candidates did not have the benefit of an audience before the learned jury.

After more than a decade from the date of their original completion of graduation, their career growth should be based on their performance appraisals, not academic degrees. Isn’t it agonising to give a test again in all the subjects? A lot of what you study at college is not meant to be remembered after a while. A test at the end of a semester is supposed to ensure that you gained a fair amount of understanding at that time, in the hope that some of it would be internalised in your education.

“Those” graduates were judged by their employer before they were “hired” and are periodically evaluated for their performance. Why should they go through the mill for the “regulatory” lapses?

More degrees, less knowledge

On a serious note, do Indian degrees correspond to knowledge? A rising demand for the college degrees has led to the proliferation of hundreds of private colleges with little regulatory supervision. The term university is used rampantly, giving an impression that they are approved universities.

On the contrary, some of the premier institutions, though not formally recognised by UGC, don’t provide any degree/diploma, but only a certificate.  Such schools also house brilliant pupils and faculty. Many corporates select candidates based more on their skills, rather than degrees.

Regulatory failure

The verdict also raised serious questions about the efficacy of the UGC as a regulatory body. While denouncing on the performance of the UGC, the honourable court said, “The UGC failed to regulate the deemed universities although it is the sole regulating body in the country for distance education. Deemed universities violated the norms as there was neither an approved engineering college, nor qualified faculty at their campuses….”

Any remedy for the students?

Based on the judgement, can the aggrieved students claim suitable compensation from those institutions/regulators for deceiving them and playing with their time, money and careers?

In early 2014, the SC had directed the government to take a look at the fate of 44 deemed universities which were recommended to be blacklisted. The HRD Ministry, which had sought de-notification of these 44 institutions, assured the Court that the future of students is not affected. Are the names referred by the SC in the recent judgement still appearing in the list of these 44 institutions?  Now, does the government have anything to offer the anguished pupils?

The judgement will also affect students living in villages and remote areas where institutions of higher learning are not available.

Last word

The apex court also observed that commercialisation of education “seriously affects credibility of standards in education, and seriously affecting excellence and merit”.

One thing is clear: The price of this mess is being paid by students.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

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4 COMMENTS

  1. If technical education is not permissible through distance mode,then why IGNOU started technical degree. Why award degree? Is AMIE is regular?Then why it is valid? Why technical degree awarded by SMU is valid? Why Honble Supreme Court consider it? It is partiality. It is very wrong decision. Future of thousands persons may spoil. Not only future, their families will also disturbed.We request to H’onable President and H’onable Prime Minister must look into this matter.

  2. Honourable supreme court must consider the requests of students. It is practically impossible for anyone to recollect and recall everything whatever they have studied 10-15 years back. Honourable supreme court may verify the authenticity by examining records of exams attempted , admit cards , university attendance etc.
    Attending an additional exams may not be practically possible for many on account of prevailing job responsibilities, distance location from exam centre, personal or professional commitments clashing with each other and many more hurdles.
    Is it not the violation of human rights of the affected students and their families?
    Is it not discriminatory attitude towards few innocent students and their families?
    Records shows that the courses were approved by joint committee and many competent authorities.

    It is requested to the honourable supreme court and other competent authorities etc to view it based on the merit of the affected students.

    I have few questions

    1. Is there a system in our country wherein all the graduates need to reapper in exam after every 5_10 year to test their knowledge. If it’s not then why a dewcrimination with few innocent students and their families?

    2. Are Amie, iete, ice and other professional bodies have regular courses? If not then why a decrmiNination here?

    3. Is Learning while Earning is a crime? If not then why these university students are being punished for their no faults.

    4 . Going by the medical science is it practically possible to recall and recollect everything in late 30,40 or 50,`s ?

    5. In engineering generally we are taught many subjects but while working we go for a particular line. Then hiw could someone remember everything?

    6. If these students are being retested after significant years of completion their studies then why should other not be tested ?

    7. There are many more logical questions?

    Is is requested to the honourable supreme court, Parliament and other authorities to have a rational view for the affected students and their families. Also national human rights commission is requested to intervene.

    With regards to everyone.

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