Mysuru: The report of Justice K. Bhakthavatsala shows that students who were admitted to MPhil, PhD, BE, BTech, MTech, Diploma in Engineering and other technical professional programmes of the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) are facing severe problems since the degrees are not recognised.

Despite warnings from the Distance Education Council way back in 2011, KSOU did not stop conducting courses and awarding degrees. There have also been media reports highlighting the problems of students who have taken other certificate courses outside Karnataka.

Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), being a consumer protection organisation, is exploring ways to help students who have suffered due to lapses of KSOU, said a press release from MGP Secretary Shenoi, which stated that in the past too, MGP had helped many students of unrecognised courses to get redressal.

In one sad example, a brother and sister duo had completed courses from Regional Institute of Education (RIE) and could not get jobs since the courses were unrecognised. MGP helped their father to file a case before the Consumer Court. He won at the District Forum and then the State Consumer Redressal Commission and the National Consumer Redressal Commission when the Institute went on an appeal. When the next appeal was before the Supreme Court, the father died and the case was not pursued further, the release said.

In the present case involving the KSOU, the number of students suffering is enormous. To avoid long delays through the judicial system,  MGP is planning to approach the PM’s Office with a request to set up a Commission to help find a speedy solution to the suffering students.

Student-victims may contact MGP on email:[email protected] or over Ph: 2515150.