Fake Colleges, Real Damage
NBSE have declared the HSLC and HSSLC results for this academic year, many students have started the process of admission for undergraduate courses in colleges.
- With the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) having
declared the HSLC and HSSLC results for this academic year, many parents and
students may have started the process of researching and applying for admission
to intermediate and undergraduate courses in colleges either in the state or
outside. What some may not be aware of is that there are dozens of fake
colleges, universities, and school boards in the country waiting to dupe them
with false promises and certificates, which can ruin the career and life of
young students. As per the University Grants Commission (UGC), which updates
such fraudulent educational institutions from time to time, a total of 21 fake
universities have been identified in the country. It recently issued a public
notice, warning students, parents, and the general public that many
universities are offering degrees in contradiction to the provisions of the
University Grants Commission Act, 1956, and that degrees/certifications awarded
by such institutions hold no validity for higher education and employment. It
went on to advise applicants to verify the authenticity of educational
institutions before seeking admission. The Indira Gandhi National Open
University (IGNOU) has also listed 116 “unrecognised school boards” across the
country while informing that it won’t accept examinations conducted by such
boards for higher studies. This goes on to indicate that thousands could have
been duped by unauthorised institutions in the name of providing education, and
many more could fall into the same trap if stringent action is not taken
against the fraudsters. It is perplexing how such illegal activities are being
carried out under the nose of the authorities.
- Section 22 of the UGC Act says that only universities that
are “established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act,
or a State Act or an institution deemed to be a university under section 3 or
an institution specially empowered by an Act of Parliament” can confer degrees.
However, due to the failure of the concerned authorities to stop this menace,
hundreds of students, particularly those seeking professional courses like
nursing and engineering, are duped every year, shattering their dreams and
causing mental trauma. Minister of State for Education Dr. Sukanta Majumdar had
told the Lok Sabha that 21 fraudulent universities have been listed by the UGC,
while urging the respective governments to take legal action as it’s a state
subject matter. It was also informed that as many as 12 bogus universities have
been closed down since 2014. But these measures are clearly not enough. There
should be a mechanism to take immediate action against institutions cheating
students. The public also should be cautious and cross-verify before taking
admission in any college. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, fake universities
often try to lure unsuspecting students with misleading claims and even use
names similar to reputed varsities. To avoid falling victim to scams,
identifying wolves in sheep’s clothing is key.
