Staff Reporter
Dimapur, August 7
The Global Open University Nagaland (TGOUN) cleared the air on the ‘allegations’ against it by Mansa Police Punjab of issuing fake certificates without proper examination which was also published in two prominent national newspapers Times of India and Hindustan Times earlier this year.
Addressing the press conference at Hotel Acacia Dimapur today, TGOUN Chancellor T.N.Mannen pointed out that the university had gone through a series of allegations of issuing fake certificates and imparting distant education without requisite conditions. The continuing allegations have damaged the good image and intention of the university, he said.
He said, the fact of the matter was that the fake degree certificates and documents were issued by some imposters at Kolkata and Patiala (Punjab) by means of duplicating TGOUN in the year 2014 wherein the two culprits were arrested by Nagaland Police at Kolkata and out of the three offenders only one was arrested at Patiala in 2014 as the two were absconding by the time Nagaland Police reached Patiala. He however, the same offenders were once again arrested by the Punjab Police this year.
The candidates who received certificates in the name of TGOUN were admitted through a centre by the name “Lotus Education, Patiala” by forging the University logo, letter pad and forged signature, he said.
On query if TGOUN had any association with Lotus Education Society, TGOUN Director-cum –Registrar, Dr.Imotemsu Ao acknowledged that the university had authorized Lotus Education Society for counseling centers and to promote the university programmes but never endorsed them to issue certificates or open up study centres.
Dr.Imotemsu also refuted the allegation of Mansa police through media as baseless that TGOUN was allowed to run only two programmes i.e Hotel Management and Fashion designing. But according to UGC Act 1956, he maintained that a university can start any programmes under the guidelines of UGC which he said TGOUN was doing.
After the matter of fake certificates came to light, Sandeep Bahri and Vivek Gupta of Lotus Education Society, Vineet Goel who was running Bhai Gurdas Education Centre in Mansa were arrested for allegedly issuing fake certificates in the name of TGOUN.
Clarifying on the status of the university, he underlined that TGOUN has no off campus and has been declared a state university and recognized by the Ministry of Human Resource Department University Grant Commission, Government of India.
