What to look for before you select a new educational institute
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The admission season is in full swing, and national dailies and glossy magazines are carrying full-page advertisements listing claims of the ever-increasing numbers of private universities in the country. Most of them are either recognised or considered “deemed” universities. However, with the very credibility of “deemed-to-be” and “deemed” universities being questioned by the Yash Pal committee on the renovation and rejuvenation of higher education, it would be wise if you made a checklist and figured out where these institutions stand.

That is what Shaurya Malhotra did. While most of his classmates were taking it easy after the Plus Two boards, Malhotra was busy scanning newspapers and websites to learn more about private institutions in the country. With the cut-off percentage expected to hit the roof for central universities such as Delhi University, students like Malhotra are now looking for options outside the regular scheme of things. “Not everyone gets into the institute one desires. You have to keep your options open,” says Malhotra, who has scored 72 per cent in the science stream.

Every year, lakhs of students apply for a few thousand seats in central and state universities. And every year the list of fake institutions too gets longer. This year the University Grants Commission (UGC) has identified 22 fake institutions while as many as 200 institutions were declared fake by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). So don’t seek admission in just any private university or business school. Check, recheck and check some more before submitting the application form.

Seeing is believing

◘ Despite his research, there is a chance that Malhotra could get taken in. “Don’t go by advertisements in the media or an institute’s fancy website. Visit the place where you intend to study and check for yourself,” says career counsellor Jitin Chawla who says that many dubious institutions often claim famous names as faculty on their websites. “Often these are not regular faculty members but guest lecturers who visit once a year,” he says. So the ideal route to follow is to visit the campus and talk to the faculty members.

Placement is key

◘ Placement is yet another yardstick that determines an institution’s credibility. But do not blindly believe what institute websites claim. “Talk to senior students or alumni to figure out campus interview and placement procedures,” says Premchand Palety, director, Centre for Forecasting and Research (C-fore), Delhi. “Ask the placement committee to provide details about a few alumni who work in prestigious organisations,” advises Chawla.

Rank reality

◘ While choosing a business school, be sure to check out the rankings. Almost all leading business publications bring out an annual list of B-schools with the aid of market survey organisations. These rankings can help weed out fly-by-night operators. Experts warn against following one ranking list — assessing a few of them is a better idea. “See the average ranking of an institution in various lists over the past five years. This would give you a fair idea,” says Palety of C-fore, which brings out an annual ranking of B-schools that takes into consideration parameters such as infrastructure, placement and faculty.

Buy local

◘ According to academician Yash Pal, students should choose an institution that offers quality education over one that has an “international” tag. “It’s better to opt for a long distance programme from a state university than go for an institution that is yet to prove its credentials,” he says. Do not get charmed by the “international” tag. Most universities with this tag claim that their curriculum is globally approved, which again is debatable, warn experts.

The two As

◘ Accreditation and affiliation are other key words usually thrown at gullible students. Educational institutions are affiliated to universities that govern them for quality and credibility. All affiliated institutions under a university or board are governed by common examinations and assessment methods.

Accreditation, on the other hand, is evaluation to ascertain the academic standards maintained by an institution. The National Board of Accreditation (NBA) was set up by the AICTE to accredit technical institutions while the UGC set up the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) to assess universities that provide non-professional courses. The Accreditation Board was set up by the Indian Council of Agricultural Resource for accrediting agricultural colleges while the Department of Electronics Accreditation system (DOEACC) is the accrediting agency for private computer institutions. The National Board of Examination (NBE), an autonomous body of the Union ministry of health and family welfare, was set up for accrediting hospitals and medical institutions.

However, it is not mandatory for institutions to apply for accreditation. “Since there is no compulsion, not many institutions have bothered to apply for accreditation,” says Chawla. The UGC recently suggested that accreditation be obligatory for deemed universities. Last year, the UGC also announced that it intended to make accreditation compulsory for all universities. But no firm decision has been taken on this till date.

Fake alert list

◘ As many private colleges and universities in India are yet to be recognised, keeping an eye on the fake alert list by the UGC and AICTE is helpful. According to R.K. Chauhan, secretary, UGC, its role is at present limited to creating awareness about fake institutions. “We have proposed an amendment in the UGC Act to increase the fine amount and punishment,” says Chauhan. As per the UGC Act 1956, the guilty have to pay a paltry fine of Rs 1,000 and the state government has to take further action.

Illegal rules don’t rule

◘ Students should also be wary of institutions that have illegal rules like non-refund of fees and confiscation of original certificates. According to AICTE rules, the entire fee collected from a student, after deduction of the processing fee (not more than Rs 1,000) has to be refunded if the student withdraws from a programme. Any institution that does not do it cannot be a credible one. A complaint about the erring institution to the AICTE can lead to withdrawal of approval and recognition.

Beware of freebies

◘ Stay away from institutes that offer freebies like laptops and foreign trips. “Do not get swayed by events which boast of dignitaries,” says Chawla. Many private institutions wax eloquent about their annual events by inviting celebrities and politicians to grace them. International exposure is another misconception. “A five-day trip to foreign shores won’t give you any value addition,” says Chawla.

If you, like Malhotra, are thinking of heading to a private institution, keep these pointers handy for there is a good, bad and ugly side to the rampant mushrooming of private institutions. And, experts advise, look into the details — the truth lies there rather than in the big picture.

Duped? Fight back

What do you do if you find that the institution you have paid a fortune to register in is a fake? And what do you do if it refuses to give you a refund? Students can find redress in a court of law. “A student can lodge a criminal case for misrepresentation of facts and cheating,” says Supreme Court lawyer Ashok Aggarwal. He or she can even go to a consumer court and claim damages. “An aggrieved student should use the Right to Information Act to deal with dubious institutions,” advises Aggarwal.

Source: Thw Twlwgraph (Kolkata, India)