Doubts rise over PhD certificates from outside states

Davanagere: Staff members at Davanagere University have demanded verification of PhD certificates submitted for recruitment and promotions by faculty members, especially those obtained from universities outside Karnataka. Their demand comes after the department of collegiate education introduced a standard operating procedure (SOP) to check the authenticity of PhD certificates submitted by guest lecturers.Following this move, concerns have intensified over the use of fake or doubtful academic documents in higher education appointments. Over 40 professors of Davanagere University have reportedly submitted a petition to the registrar urging the administration to verify the credentials of permanent faculty members who earned PhD degrees from institutions in other states.They argue that if such verification is mandatory for guest lecturers in colleges, the same standard should be applied to university faculty as well. Under UGC norms, teaching candidates are generally required to hold a PG degree and qualify in the NET or Karnataka State Eligibility Test. However, PhD degrees are also submitted either during recruitment or later, for promotion.These certificates, particularly from outside-state universities, have now come under suspicion. In their petition, professors alleged that some faculty members may have obtained appointments and promotions using questionable PhDs. They also claim that there were serious irregularities in several stages of the doctoral process at certain universities, including registration of researchers, coursework, evaluation and awarding of degrees.These alleged lapses, they said, raise doubts about whether all such degrees comply with UGC regulations. The issue gained momentum as some of the qualifications of some faculty members is being questioned. Petitioners warned that any failure to verify such credentials could affect academic standards and the future of students.The protesting professors have also indicated that if the university does not act, they may take the matter to Governor and chancellor Thaawar Chand Gehlot as well as the department of higher education.Responding to the demand, university registrar SB Gunti said that professors have indeed sought verification of PhD authenticity. The matter would be discussed with the vice-chancellor, and a decision would be taken on whether the SOP could be adopted by the university. "The controversy has now placed pressure on the university administration to decide whether a formal verification mechanism should be introduced for faculty qualifications, particularly those obtained from institutions outside the state," he clarified.
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