Africa Bars An Indian University for the Second Time

For the second time, a private Indian university has been barred from recruiting Ghanian students for its distance learning programmes since it is not accredited in this country. The university is likely with a federal probe, into its affairs - particularly the awarding of an extraordinarily high number of degrees - and its chancellor-promoter is on the run.

The decision of the National Accreditation Board (NAB) against CMJ University, based in Shillong, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya, follows investigations that some foreign institutions without proper credentials had targeted prospective Ghanaian students in their recruitment drives and in some cases duped these students by giving them spurious qualifications.

This is the second private Indian educational institution to be barred in Africa after Ethiopia stopped the Sri Sai College from recruiting fresh students as it had not presented a renewed licence from its partner, Sikkim Manipal University (SMU).

CMJ University, named after its chancellor Chandra Mohan Jha, had advertised to recruit Ghanaian students for its distance learning MBA, pre-MBA, and other post-graduate programmes beginning in June.

However, NAB said CMJ "claims to have both institutional and programme accreditation issued by UGC (University Grants Commission) of India," but it was discovered that the institution had neither been registered or accredited by the board in Ghana.

Accordingly, it cautioned prospective students, employers and the general public not to deal with the institution. Accordingly, NAB cautioned the general public to desist from responding to CMJ University advertisements or enrolling for any of their programmes, saying: "Any person that does business with this institution does so at his/her own risk."

"Educational institutions and employers are also advised to refer all academic and professional qualifications to NAB for determination of their respective statuses before accepting them for any form of admission/employment," NAB said.

CMJ University hit media headlines following Meghalaya Governor R.S. Mooshahary - who is also the visitor of the university - exposing various irregularities in its functioning.

Meghalaya's Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is investigating the alleged lapses of CMJ University, has unearthed a number of irregularities in its functioning.

The CID has arrested the varsity's registrar, Mrinal Kanti Deb, and his deputy Premlal Rai, on charges of fraud and cheating. A lower court in Meghalaya Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants against Chandra Mohan Jha and his two associates, Manjeet Kaur and Juban Kharpuri, in connection with the alleged forgery and irregularities by the institution.