GUWAHATI, April 12, 2018 (TNN): Rather than the genuineness of the universities from where the 'fake' PhD degrees have been reportedly acquired by a section of college teachers of the state, the unfair means of acquiring such doctorate degrees are under the scanner of the state government. Speaking in the assembly last Friday, education minister Himanta had said 'fake universities' like Magadh University and Vinayak University have conferred degrees on many teachers who are now in regular posts in colleges.
Following the education minister's directive to ascertain the genuineness of doctorate degrees of college teachers, senior officials in the state higher education department said on Tuesday several teachers might have produced degrees attained through dubious means to get salary increments or other benefits from the government.
"Some of the college teachers are being suspected of having joined regular posts in the government-aided colleges of the state by producing such PhD certificates, as they don't have the National Eligibility Test (NET) or the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) qualification. As per the norms, a candidate can become a college teacher on regular basis if he or she has a PhD degree but doesn't have NET or SLET qualification," said director of higher education Gitimoni Phukan.
She said many of the universities from outside Assam, which are under the scanner after Himanta's statement, are in fact recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). "The question that arises here is how the college teachers have acquired the PhD degrees. It is likely that many of them have managed to acquire their doctorate degrees even without completing the due procedure," she added.
A high-level committee to look into the issue will be formed soon which shall supersede a committee previously set up for a similar purpose by the state directorate of higher education.
