Withdraw all degrees:Guv to CMJ Univ

SHILLONG, APR 30: CMJ University is once again in the news for all the wrong reasons as the Meghalaya governor RS Mooshahary, who is the visitor of the university, has directed the university to recall all the degrees awarded by the university so far and publish this in all the newspapers for the information of the public.

Raising objections and pointed out various irregularities in the functioning of the university, which was established by an Act of the Meghalaya Assembly in 2009, Mooshahary directives to the CMJ University came on Tuesday.

The directive was part of the Governor’s principal secretary MS Rao letter written to the CMJ Foundation chairman Chandra Mohan Jha pointing irregularities in the university’s functioning.  He said in the letter issued on Tuesday, “I am directed to state that on perusal of the records and information submitted by CMJ Foundation on the CMJ University, irregularities have been observed.”

The Chancellor of the University appointed by the sponsor does not have the approval of the Visitor, Rao said, adding that this was in violation of Section 14(1) of the CMJ University Act, 2009.

In the proposal submitted for appointment of the Chancellor by CMJ Foundation in 2009, the bio-data of the recommended candidate – Chandra Mohan Jha – was enclosed stating that “he is the Director of a number of colleges within and outside Meghalaya without clearly indicating their University affiliation”.

One of these colleges, The Shillong Engineering and Management College was de-affiliated ‘by NEHU w.e.f. academic session 2011-2012, Rao added.

Moreover, he pointed out that the university has enrolled students in various courses. In 2010-11, 176 students were enrolled, in 2011-12 (469 students) and in 2012-13 (2,734 students).

“All the above admissions are illegal,” Rao bluntly stated.

Further, the principal secretary stated that the university has awarded Ph.D. degree to 434 students during 2012-13, and has enrolled 490 students for the Ph.D. programme during 2012-2013.

“On the other hand, the faculty strength of the university is only 10 teachers with Ph.D. qualification. These enrolments and award of Ph.D. degrees are in contravention of the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Awards of M.Phil./Ph.D. degree) Regulation, 2009,” he further stated.

At the same time, Rao said the university had issued a false and a misleading newspaper advertisement on April 22, 2013 claiming that the university has not yet awarded any Ph.D. degree to any of the students enrolled from Assam.

“On the other hand, this office has reliable information that the CMJ University has awarded Ph.D. degree to candidates from Assam,” he stated.

The university has also not submitted the Annual Reports to the Visitor in violation of Section 45(3) of the act, he said adding that the university has acted in contravention of Section 52 of the act in respect of maintenance of standards and other related matters applicable to private universities.

Hence, he said, the Governor, being the University’s Visitor, has issued directions to the University for Immediate Compliance.

These include:

• The CMJ University shall recall/withdraw all the degrees awarded so far and publish this fact in national and local newspapers at their own cost.

• The CMJ Foundation shall submit a fresh proposal for appointment of the Chancellor along with the correct Bio-data of the candidate recommended and supporting documents.

• The University shall frame rules and procedures for admission into the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degree programmes, allocation of supervisor, course work, evaluation, assessment and other related matters in, accordance with the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Awards of M.Phil./Ph.D. degree) Regulation, 2009.

• No fresh admission of students shall be undertaken by the university till compliance of the above instructions and till the appointment of the Chancellor in accordance with Section 14 (l) of the act.

Jha has been given time till May 21 to comply with the above directives and submit compliance report to the Visitor. – By Our Reporter