KANNUR: Kannur University Vice-Chancellor Dr Khader Mangad denied the allegations aired in a section of television channels on Sunday afternoon raising suspicions about the credentials on his PhD degree.
A section of the media on Sunday carried reports claiming that they were in possession of RTI documents to prove that the PhD degree of Dr Khader Mangad was obtained flouting norms. The media reports alleged that the VC obtained his PhD in two-and-a-half years while the minimum course period was four years. The reports also said that Dr Khader Mangad marked his attendance during the course period on non existent dates including February 29 and September 31, 2003.
Speaking to ‘Express’ over phone, Dr Khader Mangad said that it was true that he completed his PhD in two and a half years. But he had obtained prior written permission from the University to submit his thesis early. “I have the documents to prove it and the written document is still with me,” he said.
Regarding the controversy over the attendance, he said that the facts need to be checked and it should be enquired whether the attendance sheets were manipulated or not.
“I did a part- time PhD course at Kannur University and it needs to be checked whether somebody else marked the attendance sheets.” Dr Khader Mangad also said that vested interests were conspiring against him for long.
The SFI demanded resignation of Dr Khader in the PhD controversy. A section of university employees and the SFI were up in arms against the VC since he took charge. A top university employee, who was also the leader of an employees union, had been suspended for distributing a scandalous poem against the VC during a convocation ceremony attended by the Governor last year.