Education Minister Vows Reform Inquiry Reveals Major Irregularities at Sabarmati University

• 2024-08-28 09:10:19
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Minister Pansheriya was addressing an inquiry by Danilimda Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar regarding the issuance of PhD and other degrees and certificates by Sabarmati University Ahmedabad in exchange for monetary compensation.

The government is resolute in its efforts to curb malpractices in private universities, declared Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya, recently. This declaration came in response to an inquiry by Danilimda Congress MLA Shailesh Parmar concerning PhD and other degrees and certificates issued by Sabarmati University Ahmedabad in exchange for money.

“A three-member inquiry committee was established to investigate the matter thoroughly. Despite issuing notices to the university, no satisfactory response was received. Consequently, an administrator was appointed by the state government. The investigation also persisted during the Covid pandemic. Actions are being taken against the university, including the annulment of the degrees,” stated the minister.

In response to a supplementary question about the mechanisms for supervision and control of private universities such as Sabarmati University, the minister further elaborated that under the Gujarat Private Universities Act, 2009, two committees — a high-level apex committee and a monitoring inspection, review, and scrutiny committee — have been established by the education department for rigorous monitoring and control, ensuring comprehensive supervision over these institutions.

An inquiry commission instituted by the state government uncovered significant irregularities in Sabarmati University's operations. The report confirmed that over "1,500 invalid PhD and MPhil degrees were awarded without meeting eligibility criteria and adhering to University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines."

As reported by The Indian Express in July 2020, amidst an ongoing investigation into Sabarmati University—formerly known as Calorx Teachers’ University—over alleged irregularities in awarding PhD and MPhil degrees, financial discrepancies, and non-cooperation with the inquiry committee, the state government had designated then Director of Higher Education M Nagarajan as administrator at the university to oversee its activities.