Fate of thousands of students hang in balance after varsity violates norms by conducting regular courses outside jurisdiction

C Shivakumar

Chennai:

Fate of thousands of students taking up regular courses in various centres of Manonmaniam Sundarnar University across the country hangs in balance after it was found out that the varsity violated the norms of University Act by conducting regular degree course outside the jurisdiction of the university.



According to evidence available with Express, the former vice chancellor of the university Sabapathy Mohan, who is also a close aide of then higher education minister K Ponmudi, created a separate website www.msuemba.in and invited applications for starting regular and distance education programmes of Manonmaniam Sundarnar University.



University sources told Express that franchising is not allowed by Distance Education Council. However, Sabapathy granted affiliation to 73 national level collaborators who in turn were authorized to give franchise on their own without any inspection from the university.



And what is more, national collaborators gave franchise to 1,044 private institutes putting to risk the fate of thousands of students who have enrolled thinking that the programme offered by these franchisees is a regular course.



Even though a series of complaints were lodged with University Grants Commission, Ministry of Human Resources and Development and the state education department no action has been taken in this regard.



Interestingly, the university has even authorised some private partners to conduct some technical courses like Masters in Engineering, Masters in Technology, MBA- Finance, MBA- Logistics, BSc Fire and Safety in various parts of country by suppressing University Grants commission, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Ministry of Human Resources and Development norms. “This is a gross violation of norms and misuse of university jurisdiction,” said a university source.

And to top this, these partners were allowed to conduct courses, design syllabus and conduct examinations on their own. For everything and anything, it was alleged the students have to pay money. Interestingly, these institutes were collecting exorbitant fees amounting to several lakhs and university did not conduct checks to stem the irregularities. Surprisingly, sources said these degrees may not be valid anywhere putting to risk the career of thousands of students.

When Express contacted the registrar of the university S Manickam, he refused franchises were awarded to private players. “They are mere centres and a circular has been issued yesterday asking the centres in other parts of the country not to proceed further in offering courses or degrees,” he added.

When pointed out that the degrees awarded by these centres will put the career of students to risk, he said the syndicate will take care of this issue. He admitted there had been certain malpractices by the centres and the varsity is trying to control it.

When express tried to contact the acting director-in-charge of distance education R Ramesh, he refused to comment. Surprisingly, it was Ramesh who blew the whistle exposing the scam. Now he is facing several threats to his life and is under police protection. “Such things won’t happen without the blessing of someone who is very powerful and is afraid that things will be leaked out,” a university source said