Un-Recognised Degrees, Institute told To Repay Fees To Students
A Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Department order instructed to repay fees to 268 students of Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Bachelor of Arts in Business Management (BABM) courses studying in Universal Business School (UBS) in Karjat, Maharashtra.
Students discovered that their degrees were not recognized academically after graduating from the universities. After receiving complaints from impacted students who were having trouble getting into colleges for higher education, the education administration issued an order. The UBS, now renamed as Universal AI University, informed that the concerned courses were already discontinued in the year 2022.
However, students do not seem relieved by the order. One student said, “We are demanding equivalency to our degree and not repayment of fees”. They want justice for time spent to pursue the course. According to the students, the order proves that they were wronged but without equivalency to the degrees, they can not pursue higher education or get employment. Students remained render clueless in terms of future career plans. Some students have already approached the Bombay High Court to hope relief.
The UBS started the BBA/BABM course along with a UK-based university in 2013. Till the university discontinue its program a total 268 students have graduated form the institute. First such complaint by Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Department against the institution was received in 2017 when students knew regarding invalidity of their degrees.
UBS through an official statement that It suo moto, closed the BABM program in September 2022 after UGC notified new regulations with respect to academic collaboration between India and Foreign Higher Educational Institutes to offer Twinning Programmes and Joint and Dual Degree Program Regulations 2022. The authorities informed, “The institute has already appealed against the DHE order to Appellant Authority which pertains to the matter 9 years ago in 2014 when the students enrolled.”
