DIMAPUR, MAY 31 (MExN): The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has found two more off-campus study centres of CMJ University, Meghalaya, on Friday, May 31. This comes after NSF had located one of these centres at Chumukedima, Dimapur, which, as per the NSF, functioned in violation of the UGC (Establishment of and Maintenance of Standards in Private University) Regulations, 2003 and the decision of the Supreme Court (2005).
Until the controversy surrounding the CMJ University is resolved, the NSF has directed both the study centres not to run classes, conduct exams or admit new students. However, the centres have been allowed to keep the offices open only for the purpose of attending/responding to the needs/queries of the aggrieved students and refunding of fees.
A press release from NSF Vice President Joseph Ngouri and Finance Secretary Shikavi Achumi claims that one of these study centres is located on the third floor above Popular Bakery, Dimapur with one Sisir Bhoumik as the Academic Counsellor. As per details provided by the NSF, this study centre was started in the last part of 2010 with File No. 82 given by the CMJ. Altogether 144 students have already passed out from this centre. The centre has been offering various degrees courses such as BA, B.Ed, B.Com and MA with admission fees of Rs 21, 000/-, Rs. 33, 000/- Rs. 25, 000/- and Rs. 18, 000/- respectively. Out of the 17 newly admitted students, 13 students have reclaimed their admission fees from the centre. This year, 82 students were supposed to sit for their exam starting May 24 while others are supposed to start from June 2. The exams have been postponed until further notice, informs the NSF. Seventeen candidates have also enrolled for Ph.D. with Rs 1.2 Lakh as admission fee. Two of these candidates have already opted out.
Another CMJ off-campus study centre was detected by the NSF at Isaac Newton School, Sematilla, Dimapur with Principal of the school, Naresh Singha, as its Academic Counsellor. This centre was established in 2012 and offers only B.Ed. Six (6) students have already passed out from this, as per the NSF. For the current session, 46 students have enrolled for the B.Ed. course out of which five students have been refunded their fees. According to the NSF, the Academic Counsellor had established the study centre through Guwahati-based, Dr. S.I. Choudhary who is the in-charge of Nagaland state for CMJ University, Meghalaya.
The NSF has also learnt that almost all the B.Ed. enrolled students are in-service state government teachers. Besides, the NSF has several complaints, about Isaac Newton School, of varied nature going against ethics of quality education. In this matter, the NSF has reprimanded the Principal, Naresh Singha.
The Federation has asked both the study centres of CMJ to refund fees to newly admitted students within one month starting May 31, 2013. “If the students face any difficulty in reclaiming their fees, such aggrieved students are informed to contact the NSF office for taking up the matter,” notified the students’ body. The NSF has learnt that some of the CMJ study centres in the state are refunding only half of the total amount of fees, so the NSF has directed such centres to refund full fees to newly admitted students or face necessary action.
The NSF has also asked both the study centres to submit the complete details, fees paid, addresses and phone numbers of all passed out and enrolled students.
