Degrees won't be in jeopardy, varsities assure students

Deemed status: Managements bracing up for fight

The varsities have also maintained that they had satisfied all criteria set by the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Although the managements are yet to receive any official communication from the HRD Ministry about the decision to recommend derecognition, the varsities are already bracing themselves for a battle. The managements told Deccan Herald that the interest of the
students was paramount and their future will not be affected adversely.

Dinesh Nilkant, Principal, Centre for Management Studies-Jain University said, “We will ensure that students’ careers are not hampered. The management is clear that all decisions will be taken in the best interest of students and will wait for the official statement.”

He stated that Jain University has been one of the premier institutions in the State with the best accreditation awarded by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

“The institution has set a high standard in the country by the consistent and best accreditation conferred on it. It has bagged the top ranks in Bangalore University over the years,” Nilkant said.

Meanwhile, the management at Christ University too sought to dispel the fears of the students. The Pro-Vice Chancellor of Christ University, Father Abraham told all students of the varsity were called in batches for a meeting and assured that the future will not be affected. “We had originally been granted deemed varsity status for five years, which will be reviewed every year. The UGC review committee that visited us in September 2009 were impressed with our infrastructure,” he said. The students at the university were not bothered because of the institution’s stature and repute, he added.

However, both managements expressed concern that the research work at the deemed varsities will be affected if the affiliation system is brought back at these institutions. The managements of Yenepoya and BLDE varsities too had expressed surprise at the Ministry’s decision and maintained that they had fulfilled all statutory obligations. M B Patil, MLA and Chancellor of BLDE Deemed varsity said that the UGC was satisfied with the varsity’s performance and infrastructure. He said that the University will fight the matter out in court if the necessary arose.