Mysore Grahakara Parishat has sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by setting up a commission for resolving the Karnataka State Open University imbroglio.
“We from MGP (a consumer protection NGO from Mysuru since 1989) request you to help lakhs of students from different parts of India. These are students who for no fault of theirs are suffering because of the injustice done to them by KSOU,” MGP’s Secretary M.M. Shenoi said, in the letter to the PM.
“KSOU had UGC recognition till 2012-13 which they failed to renew when it expired. But it still continued to admit students to their degree programmes. Despite warnings by UGC not to offer courses outside the State, KSOU was offering courses not only outside Karnataka but even outside India. UGC had also asked them not to offer professional and technical courses without securing approvals from respective bodies. But KSOU continued to offer professional and technical courses,” the letter, copies of which were circulated to the media, stated.
As a result of de-recognition, lakhs of students are in jeopardy. Since KSOU’s web page continued to show that it is recognised by UGC, students continued to apply for admissions, paying fees, and appearing for examinations, the letter states.
Many complaints
“When MGP issued a press note asking KSOU students to send details on how they had suffered because of the negligence, we got many such complaints - one even from Dubai.
Students waiting for promotions are denied promotion. Those who want to go for higher studies are denied admissions, those who got jobs lost them, etc. Many had paid for degrees and certificates that are now worthless,” Dr. Shenoi said in the letter.
Awaiting action
“The MGP said it came to know that some have approached your offices directly. Some have filed PILs and are waiting to hear from the courts. The media has published several harrowing stories of the suffering of the students. Neither the Karnataka government nor UGC has taken any interest to find a solution,” the letter said.
The MGP urged the PM to establish a commission to find ways of helping the students at the earliest. The commission can be comprised of a retired High Court or Supreme Court judge, a retired Vice-Chancellor and an activist lawyer.
“When you are promoting the ‘Skill India’ mission, it is of absolute urgency that universities like KSOU should function in a professional way. Your establishing a commission will restore confidence in students to seek higher degrees,” the letter adds.
Copies sent
Copies of the letter have also been sent to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Governor Vajubai Vala, Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar, Minister for Higher Education Basavaraj Rayareddi and the UGC chairman.
