Tripura bans study centres of private universities

The Tripura government has decided to reject degree and diploma certificates issued by study centres of private universities and educational institutions of other states, officials here said Thursday.

The Tripura government has also banned operation of 35 off-campus study centres and institutions of private universities and educational institutions of other states in Tripura.

The headquarters of these study centres and institutions of private universities and educational institutions are in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Sikkim and Nagaland.

"Following the observation of the Supreme Court and direction of the UGC (University Grants Commission), the Tripura government has decided to reject degree and diploma certificates issued by study centres of private institutions of other states," higher education department Secretary Kishore Ambuly told reporters.

He said: "The Tripura government has nothing to do in this case. The apex court's observation is sacrosanct and has to be complied with. During the past decade, there has been a mushrooming of private universities and their study centres across the country and most of these private universities and their study centres do not comply with the rules and criteria set by the University Grants Commission."

Accompanied by Law Secretary Datamohan Jamatia and director of Higher Education Department Bipradas Palit, Ambuly said that degree and diploma certificates obtained through the off-campus study centres and institutions of private universities and educational institutions of other states would be recognised as valid after March 30, 2011.

The official said that these UGC instructions are applicable for all states and union territories across the country.

The apex court made its observation regarding the off-campus study centres in 2009 and 2011.

Thousands of people had enrolled in these study centres and institutions, in the hope of obtaining certificates that would enable them to get government jobs.