BENGALURU: Bangalore University has been hit by yet another scam.
The university allegedly gave admission to thousands of students for general degree courses every year based on a certification from the Northwest Accreditation Commission, which is not an authorised agency.
The only body in India recognised to grant equivalence of degrees awarded by foreign universities is the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
The MHRD order dated March 13, 1995, states that foreign qualifications equated by the AIU are recognised for the purpose of employment to services under the Central government.
But the university misinterpreted this order. Referring to the MHRD order, BU issued a circular in August 2015 stating: “Consider high school diploma from Northwest Accreditation Commission as equivalent to +2 of Pre University.”
In this regard, one Mumtaz Ahmed Khan filed a complaint before the University Grants Commission (UGC) stating that the Northwest Accreditation Commission is fake and BU is recognising fake certificates. The complaint was forwarded to City Police Commissioner N S Megharikh, who handed it over to the City Crime Branch.
Bangalore University officials told Express, “We have received a notice from CCB in this regard.”
As per the complaint to the UGC, a commission by the name Northwest Accreditation Commission is operating in the country through its website http://seriondia.org.
However, this commission is in no way related to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which is authorised to accredit high school diploma awarded by accredited American or international schools from other countries following the US system of education.
This system is subject to the condition that the high school diploma awarded by schools in the US and other parts of the world should be accredited either by the state departments of education or by one of the six regional accredited agencies in the US (see box).
“Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities is the authorised body and there is no recognised agency called Northwest Accreditation Commission,” the complaint states.
BU’s Got No Clue
Bangalore University authorities are not sure about the number of admissions they have made using the certificates provided by the Northwest Accreditation Commission.
The inquiry has to reveal the number of admissions made and degrees awarded, after which the degrees will be withdrawn, the officials said.
Accredited Agencies in the US
The six regional accredited agencies in the US as mentioned in AUI policy brochure
● The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
● New England Association of Schools and Colleges
● North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
● Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
● Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
● Western Association of Schools and Colleges