Tuesday, October 29, 2019

University ignores DCE warning, charges ₹5,000 a yr to issue experience certificates
Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.10.2019

Despite a warning by the directorate of collegiate education (DCE) to not collect money, a deemed university in the city which demanded up to one year’s salary to issue experience certificates to faculty members, now has revised its ‘service fee’ to ₹5,000 per year.

However, aspirants for assistant professors’ posts said even that adds up to more than ₹40,000 if a candidate needs experience certificate for more than 8 years. The amount is more than a month’s salary for a majority of faculty working in private institutions.

The directorate of collegiate education warned colleges and deemed universities not to collect any fee for issuing experience certificates to present and former employees after a report that appeared in TOI on October 21. The report highlighted that a deemed university in Chennai demanded up to one year’s salary to award experience certificates.

“The university is now demanding ₹5,000 a year from those seeking experience certificates. Former faculty members have to pay ₹10,000 per year as ‘service fee’,” a candidate told TOI.

Though many colleges issue experience certificates to working faculty members, some deemed universities and city colleges demand resignation letters from those seeking experience certificates.

“Despite clear direction from the directorate of collegiate education, some still demand resignation letters to discourage candidates from applying for assistant professors’ posts,” another candidate said.

The Teachers Recruitment Board notified 2,331 vacancies in government arts and science colleges for which candidates will be shortlisted for interview based on experience and educational qualification. To prevent malpractices, the board asks candidates to produce experience certificates from current and previous employers, with pay acquaintance and attendance details. “Since the colleges are paying low wages, they are afraid to furnish details of pay acquaintance,” a professor said.

“The directorate of collegiate education or higher education department should maintain a database of all faculty members working in colleges in Tamil Nadu. Colleges should only be asked to bonafide their work experience. Since there are no details available on candidates, they have to depend on individual colleges,” said A R Nagarajan, adviser to NET SLET Association.

Officials clarified that there are clear directions to all colleges and deemed universities not to collect any fees from the candidates for issuing experience certificates. “If we receive any specific complaint against a college or deemed university, we will initiate stringent action,” an official said.



A report about the warning published in TOI on October 22

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