Degree certs before convocation if needed

Degree certs before convocation if needed

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:17.12.2021

For the first time, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences is mulling providing degree certificates to doctors applying for higher studies in universities abroad prior to the convocation. For this, the varsity has to amend its own Act and the matter will be taken up at the ongoing Belagavi session.

RGUHS authorities said some doctors were asked to provide their final degree certificates when applying for higher studies abroad.

In a communication sent to medical education department’s principal secretary on December 7, medical education minister K Sudhakar directed the officer to propose amendments to enable issue of degree certificates as soon as the candidate secures eligibility. Recently, a doctor from Andhra Pradesh, who is in Karnataka and has completed internship in 2020, sought a degree certificate prior to the convocation, stating he required it for higher studies abroad. He wrote to the governor and that’s how the discussion came to the forefront, sources said.

“In some universities abroad, while scrutinising documents for admission, in the absence of degree certificates, they ask for additional documents from students to be certified by RGUHS, which we regularly do,” RGUHS sources said.

If the amendment is brought, it will help many students, say officers. “Soon after results, we provide provisional degree certificates. The gap between issuing provisional and final degree certificates is 7-8 months depending on when the convocation is held. The amendment would help doctors taking up higher studies abroad,” said Dr Jayakara SM, incharge vice chancellor, RGUHS.

He said that at a recent meeting, higher officials discussed possible options to provide degree certificates to those who need it soon after results are announced. “At present too, the Act gives us an option to conduct a mini-convocation in case of emergencies. But that has not happened so far. We are mulling taking up an option employed in Delhi University, wherein based on the affidavit filed by the candidate, the degree certificate is issued prior to the convocation. We’re looking into the Delhi University model,” he said.

ALL EYES ON RGUHS FUNDS

The minister’s letter, a copy of which is with TOI, about provision for issuing degree certificates, also talks about suitable amendments about usage of funds. Currently, the university has Rs 1500 crore to spend for which a nod from the government is essential.

Chapter 4 of the RGUHS Act speaks about utilisation of funds, its management and audit. Under the provision to section 40, it is clear that with respect to utilisation of funds, the directions of the state government shall be final.

“However, if any such limitation is cast on the government with respect to the utilisation of funds, it is imperative to introduce suitable amendments to the statute so as to enable the government to ensure that funds are put to effective use in the interest of extending better healthcare services to the general public,” reads the letter.