MONDAY, MAY 05, 2025
Fake Colleges, Real Damage
Published on May 1, 2025
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- 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.
Nagaland Districts
