JNTU-H faces flak over fake doctorate degrees

​Hyderabad: Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (JNTU-H) is facing embarrassment following other state universities calling for reports on the faculty members working in the colleges affiliated to the JNTU-H.

It may be recalled here that, the JNTU-H had faced allegations of ratifying the PhDs of several faculty members working in the private engineering colleges without verifying their genuineness.

The faculty members holding positions from Assistant Professors to Professors allegedly obtained their PhDs from universities like Gondwana, Moinabad, Magadha, Mithila, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, OPS University, Singhania, Sun Rise University, Himalaya, CMJ, Goutham Buddha, Jaya Prakash Narayan and Golden State to a name a few.

That apart, a few others were claiming to have received their PhDs from the universities in Mississippi, United States, Barcelona in Spain and other countries.

Speaking to The Hans India, a senior official from the JNTU-H said, "On receipt of the complaints, the university had inspected and found that the degrees of the faculty members in question had been ratified for years without ascertaining their genuineness. And, the university had been taking steps to weed out the black sheep."

However, not satisfied with the action initiated against the PhD holders, now several people have started sending their complaints directly to the universities concerned from where the faculty members in question have been claiming to have obtained their doctoral degrees.

In one such case, acting on a complaint received, Prof G Nageswara Rao, Vice-Chancellor, Andhra University, directed senior officials of the academic wing to call for a report. In turn, the officials have called the faculty in question, working in a reputed and accredited engineering college affiliated to the JNTU-H, to send degree certificates to the University for verification. 

Apart from this, some of the colleges located in Dindigul, Ghatkesar, Medchal and a few other places are facing the allegations where faculty with PhD degrees are working even as the principals of the colleges.

Responding to a query, Dr Ashok Kumar Singh, Registrar, Gautam Buddha University (GBU), Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh said, "the university has zero tolerance towards people falsely claiming to have obtained their doctoral degrees from GBU. If there are any doubts on the genuineness of a degree awarded by GBU, then, people concerned can send a letter to us giving details and we will respond to the same after due verification," he added.