UGC warns students about fake university running in Kerala

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned students about a fake university offering courses in serious violation of the rules. The commission has asked students and parents to verify the recognition of the institution and not to take admissions in such universities.

In gross violation of the UGC Act, the International Islamic University of Prophetic Medicine, run under the Jamiathu Twibbunnabawi Trust, whose name is enlisted in the UGC list of fake universities, has still exhibited its name on the second floor of the building adjacent to HP petrol pump on the left side of the Kundamangalam-Wayanad Road, Kerala, the commission has found.

The university in Kerala’s Calicut is neither recognised nor empowered to award any degree as per the UGC regulations, it said. The commission recalled the section 22 of the UGC act which states, "the right of conferring or granting degrees shall be exercised only by a university or incorporated by or under a central act, a provincial act or a state act or an institution deemed to be a university under section 3 or an institution specially empowered by an act of parliament of confer or grant degrees."

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The act further stipulates that no person or authority shall confer, or grant, or hold himself or itself out as entitled to confer or grant, any degree.

UGC flags unrecognised institutions

UGC asserted that the university is neither recognised under the Act nor empowered to award any degree as per the norms. Moreover, it added, no institution, whether a corporate body or not, other than a university established or incorporated by or under a central, provincial, or a state act shall be entitled to have the word "university" associated with its name in any manner whatsoever.

“In view of the above, students, parents and the public at large are cautioned through this public notice not to take admission in the above-mentioned self-styled institution, as taking admission in such self-styled institutions may jeopardize the career of the students,” UGC warned.

Clarification: The original UGC notice had specifically mentioned a private online platform with which this institution has partnered. UGC has since edited its notice and removed the name. Since Careers360 couldn't independently ascertain why the name was expunged, this story has been updated according to the newest version.