Srinagar, Sep 3: Students admitted to BBA and BCA programmes at Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar, since 2023 are facing a major academic crisis over the recognition of their degree.
The students said the questions were being raised whether the degrees they have spent years pursuing will now be recognised as BBA and BCA qualifications or be treated instead as general BA degrees.
The uncertainty has raised serious questions over the status of the programmes at the time admissions were offered and the basis on which students were admitted through the Common University Entrance Test (CUET).
The aggrieved students said they enrolled for the programmes through the formal admission process after fulfilling the prescribed eligibility criteria, paying the required fees and attending their classes for years.
“The students and parents accordingly relied on the representation that we were enrolled in BBA and BCA programmes,” the students said.
Students complained that after spending years pursuing their respective courses, they were informed by the concerned authorities that the qualification they will receive may not correspond to the degree for which they were admitted.
“The issue can have wider implications for the students, potentially affecting our eligibility for higher education, employment opportunities, competitive examinations and future career prospects,” the students said.
The students and their parents sought clarification from Islamia College and the concerned University besides other competent authorities on the recognised and approved status of the BBA and BCA programmes when admissions were offered from 2023 onwards.
“The authorities should clarify on what grounds the students were given admission through CUET and whether students were informed before admission about any issue relating to recognition or equivalence of the degrees,” the students said.
The students also said the authorities must explain whether the status of the programmes changed subsequently, “and under what circumstances.”
The aggrieved students said they took admission in good faith and have already invested years of study in the programmes.
“The authorities must take immediate measures to protect the future prospectus of the students. Students should not be made to bear the consequences of any institutional or regulatory lapse over which they had no control,” the students added.
The students urged the college administration and the concerned authorities clarify the issue and “ensure that the academic and professional interests of all affected students are protected.”
Principal, Islamia College Srinagar, Prof. Aijaz Hakak was not available for his comments on the issue.
Earlier, the 5th semester students enrolled in the B.Sc. Economics programme at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora raised strong objections over the change in their degree nomenclature from B.Sc. Economics to B.A. Economics.
The students complained to Greater Kashmir that the IUST decided after they completed two years of the programme, without any prior formal communication or consultation.
“We were admitted to a BSc Economics programme. Almost two years in, with no notice, no consultation, and no explanation, the university changed it to BA Economics. This is not a minor technicality, but it changes the degree we will graduate with,” the aggrieved students said.
