Students hit by delay in issuing certificates

KOZHIKODE: The issuance of degree certificates at the Calicut University has been stalled for the last one week due to the lack of digital signature of Kannur University vice-chancellor Dr. Khader Mangad, who is holding the additional charge of Calicut University VC, which is to be affixed in the certificates.
The issuance of degree certificates in the tatkal (fast track) mode for which the varsity charges a hefty fee of Rs 2,500 is held up due to the tech hurdle as the digital signature of former VC M Abdul Salam in the system has to be replaced with the digital signature of Dr Mangad.
The university is to issue certificates in the Tatkal mode within three days.
Many applicants who are in urgent need of degree certificates for their higher education and job related requirements are hit by the delay.
The university had implemented the system of affixing digital signature of the vice-chancellor in the certificate instead of the hand written signature in November 2013 for faster and efficient issuance of certificates. Varsity officials said that new digital signature in the name of Dr Mangad has to be purchased from government approved agencies which is causing the delay due to the verification processes involved.
Syndicate examination standing committee convener, Dr K M Nazeer said that the fast- track certificate issuance process has been stalled due to the issue and that it would be resolved soon. "We have taken steps to have the new digital signature incorporated in the system at the earliest and hope to resume the issuance of certificate by the end of this week itself," said Dr K M Nazeer.