BENGALURU: Due to past irregularities in the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), several students, especially those who did technical courses at the university, are facing trouble in furthering their career prospects, as their certificates have not been issued yet.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) had cancelled the recognition of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) from 2012–13 due to its violation of norms.
Panna Gupta, a senior security analyst, says he's been waiting for four years for his degree certificate. "I joined the BTech Computer Science course in 2011. It was a three-year course that I did at a college in Jayanagar. We gave the final exams in December 2014, and received our mark sheets, but not the final certificate," he says.
After waiting for six months post final exams, his batch mates and him have been continuously checking with the college for an update. Each time, they get the same response - "We are yet to get an update from the university."
As Panna is not a graduate, he's unable to try for a promotion or get better opportunities. "I have done a diploma in computer science. When I went for an interview once, I passed the technical test round. But after the test, when I was asked about my educational qualification, I told the HR person that I have a diploma. She said that she'll get back to me, which is when I realised that it is a 'no' from their side," he says, adding that he's losing out on opportunities to work for MNCs, as they look for someone who is at least a graduate.
"I got a job immediately after I completed the course, as I had produced the mark sheet and told them that the certificate is yet to be handed over. The HR person still asks me for my certificate, and every time he does, I show him the news. Since I have good relationship with the company, they don't say anything much," he says. However, he's unable to ask for a hike or promotion due to this. "The HR person says they are helpless too," he adds.
Biswanath Bagel, a 28-year-old technical support engineer, also studied under KSOU. He says, "With almost six years of experience, I could have been a team leader by now." Biswanath had to accept a new job with a salary same as what he earned back in 2016, as he hasn't received his BTech certificate yet. "I took a break for a year due to some family issues.
After returning, I attended several interviews and the companies told me that they can't give me a hike as I just have diploma. But I had to take it up anyway as I was left with no other choice. I have lost hope now," he says, adding that people with BTech certificates get better hikes. "After completing my degree, I wanted to switch jobs. And though I had experience, I wasn't getting much hike," he adds.
`3L compensation to ‘victims’
According to some reports, close to one lakh students from Karnataka and three lakh from outside had enrolled at KSOU. The university also collaborated with several private institutions and coaching centres without approval of the apex bodies.
Reportedly, a show cause notice was issued to KSOU in June 2011. The university is now awaiting recognition for its open and distance-learning programmes. Dr Kadar Pasha, registrar of the university, says, "We have written to the UGC. We are waiting for their reply." The State Government recently ordered the university to issue certificates to students who did non-technical courses in 2013-14 and 2014-15. The decision has brought some relief to students, but the fate of students who studied technical courses still remains unclear.
After hearing a petition filed by KSOU students, the Kerala HC had ordered the Open University to compensate with a payment of `3 lakh to each student, as they are not at fault and have been victimised. When CE asked about the compensation payment, Dr Kadar says that the university has appealed to the Supreme Court against the HC judgement. KSOU Vice-Chancellor Prof D Shivalingaiah was not available for comment.