Illegal study center offers PhD degree!

Md Solamain Salman: It sounds bizarre but the fact is that a study centre -- that too illegal -- is offering PhD degree in the name of a non-existent foreign university to make money. And the University Grants Commission (UGC) has found evidence of selling PhD certificates by Lincoln’s Higher Education Management (LHEM) in exchange for money.

UGC sources said a three-member delegation of the commission made a surprise visit to the office of the LHEM on August 18 when they found the proof of allegations of providing various degrees, including PhD, in the name of the foreign university which does not exist at all.

The UGC delegation also confirmed from different sources that dozens of degrees, including PhD one, were given to different persons in exchange for money by the LHEM. The LHEM is operating a big office comprised of two floors of Shahjalal Tower near the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Malibagh of the capital paying around Tk 5 lakh as rent each month, said an official seeking anonymity. 

The UGC is carrying out the investigation following allegations of providing different degrees by the study centre, which claims itself as an education consultancy firm, in exchange for money.

There was also an allegation that the LHEM is taking Tk 1.60 lakh for each PhD certificate from the higher degree-seekers. However, its officials and staff claimed to the UGC delegation that they are conducting only the student consultancy activities from the office.

“Now, the UGC will seek an explanation from the LHEM on how they’re conducting such kinds of illegal activities in the name of student consultancy and what law is being followed to run it,” said a UGC official seeking anonymity.

Earlier, the UGC formed a probe committee, led by its Private University Division’s Director Md Omar Faruque, to look into the allegations against the LHEM. The other members are UGC Deputy Director Abdul Mannan, Senior Assistant Director Golam Dastagir and Assistant Director Shariful Islam.

UGC Director Md Omar Faruque said, “We’re conducting a probe into the allegations against the LHEM of providing different degrees in the name of a foreign university.” “I can’t divulge details on the issue until completion of the probe but we’re trying to submit the report to the commission soon,” he added.

Contacted, LHEM President and CEO Prof Salim Bhuyan told that he cannot say anything as he does not know what allegations were made against them. He said the UGC officials can speak very well over the issue. “They (UGC) didn’t inform us of anything in this regard.”

Salim Bhuyan, however, admitted that the UGC officials went to his Malibagh office and talked with his staff but he did not know why they had been there being and what the allegations were. The UGC formed the probe body after it unearthed information in March that a study centre has illegally been opened by LHEM in Dhaka in the name of a non-existent foreign university.

At that time, the UGC found that Lincoln's Higher Education and Management was operating a study centre to admit students to the non-existent university, American Independent University, California, USA. A website (aiuedu.org) has been opened in the name of the non-existent university, and notification of student admission was issued, which has come to UGC’s notice.

The information on the illegal study centre has come to their notice after it (the centre) has recently published advertisements on different courses, including MPhil, PhD, MBA, Hons and Masters.

The non-existent university in its advertisements has also mentioned that there are chances of special scholarships and credit transfers. It charges a student $5,100 for the Master’s course and $10,600 for the PhD programme. The UGC has verified and found that the so-called American Independent University in California does not exist.

The UGC said a review of the website shows that it was opened in 2014 from Bangladesh's Naogaon. After analysing the university’s picture used on the website, it was found that it was taken from the University of Cambridge's website.

At that time, UGC Member Prof Dr Biswajit Chand said as per the Private Universities Act 2010, it is illegal to run a study centre of even a legitimate foreign university without permission. “Apart from this, operating a branch campus or study centre of a non-existent foreign university is a gross violation of the law,” he added.

He urged the authorities concerned to take immediate action to close the fake study centre along with advising the students to be cautious about enrolling in such institutions.

Dhaka, 04 September (campuslive24.com)//BSC 

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