As the admissions season approaches in India, thousands of hopeful students and their parents will line up outside colleges and universities. However, there is growing concern over the increasing number of institutions across the nation that have been found to offer fake degrees.
These colleges are not registered with the University Grants Commission (UGC) or the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), nor are they affiliated with any recognized colleges or universities. Their primary objective is to lure students by promising them high salaries and job opportunities upon completion of their courses.
Why is it important to verify a university’s authenticity?
There are several reasons why it is crucial to confirm the legitimacy of a university. Doing so can:
- Prevent wasting time and money
- Prevent conflicts with the UGC, law enforcement and the government
How to know if a college is legit?
Determining whether a college is legitimate or fake can be done through a few steps. Let’s dive into them.
1. Search on the UGC website
When researching any university, college, or institute, a good starting point is the University Grants Commission (UGC) website. The government established UGC to oversee higher education operations in India. Currently, UGC has published a list of 20 self-styled/ fake, unrecognized universities (and one under investigation) that parents and students can refer to when applying to colleges. You can visit the UGC’s official website here.
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2. Search the institute/college website
Conduct an internet search to determine the type of press attention the college or university has received, if any. Then, carefully examine the college’s website that interests you. The absence of a website from a college or institute is a glaring warning sign. Additionally, check that the college or institute prominently displays its affiliation and accreditation on its homepage. They wouldn’t conceal this information if they had nothing to hide.
- Find the university’s official webpage
- Examine the logo
- Verify their website to see whether they have a phone number and email address
- Verify whether it is reliable and secure (HTTPS)
- Is it in use? If you can’t figure out how frequently they update their website or if they don’t have other ways for you to get in touch with them, it might be a fake university
3. Check the institute/college grades
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council is a self-governing organization that receives funding from UGC to independently evaluate and grade the nation’s higher education institutions. The highest grade is A. Colleges should be able to provide prospective students with this information immediately.
4. Reach out to existing students and staff
When applying to colleges or universities, take the time to reach out to students already enrolled and have a brief conversation with them. Determine whether the institution’s mission and values align with your own. Discuss the curriculum’s structure with the academics and teachers. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. After all, you may be in the facility for years. It should be a place that suits your style and makes you feel comfortable.
Also Read: What next? Diploma Courses after 10th
5. Keep an eye out for obvious red flags
If the college you are interested in admits students who did not pass their Board exams, it could be a problem with the quality of education the institution is willing to compromise on. This may also be an indication that the institution is trying to accept more students and may be violating UGC rules, which could put its certification at risk.
6. Investigate
It’s impossible to verify the quality of a college through older students or teachers when the institution is brand new. To verify the claims of the institute in question, consider learning which universities these institutes are associated with and then contacting them directly.
Choosing the right university is crucial, especially in India where there are many fake universities. Therefore, it’s essential to verify the legitimacy of any university you are considering attending.
To avoid becoming a victim of fraud or an online scam, you should always check the license and approval of a specific institution, its official website, university affiliation, affiliation with other institutions (such as colleges), accreditation status (if applicable), and ranking among other universities. These factors will help you obtain accurate information about the university and make an informed decision.
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