Two colleges end their unofficial tie-up; future of 90 hospitality students in jeopardy

The colleges made the deal, as one did not have MU affiliation. File pic

A fraudulent tie-up between two colleges has put the future of 90 final-year hospitality students at stake. As the Mumbai University (MU) investigates the monetary arrangement between a Bhayandar hotel management college and a Kalyan institution, students fear their degree would become invalid.

The Mumbai University (MU) has assured it will resolve the issue in the next two months.

QMumbai College of Hotel Management in Mira-Bhayandar took in 50 students in the academic year 2017-18 and another 40 in 2018-19 for the BSc course. However, on the MU's records, these students were enrolled with Holy Maria College of Science & Technology in Kalyan, as the Bhayandar college did not have affiliation to the MU.

Maria Fernandes-Gaikwad, president, Kalyan college

As per the arrangement, the Bhayandar college had allegedly promised payments per student to the Kalyan college. The unofficial tie-up was exposed when the students received two sets of mark sheets. The matter also put the MU's examination department in the spotlight for issuing two sets of mark sheets to the same students.

The exams for the first two years went smoothly under the tie-up wherein students enrolled wrote their papers at Kalyan college. They appeared for the third-year exam in September 2021, but by then the arrangement between the two colleges had ended.

Thereafter, the first set of mark sheets was sent to the Kalyan college, but it did not release them to students over the pending dues from the Bhayandar college. A few students then approached the university, following which the tie-up came to light.

Following repeated demands from students, Bhayandar college principal Dilip Mahadik wrote to the university and fresh mark sheets were issued.

‘Unpaid dues'

"We did not receive the payment towards per student, as promised by the Bhayandar college. Besides, we found out from various sources that the college management and the principal are a fraud, hence we severed all ties with them," said Maria Fernandes-Gaikwad, president of the Kalyan college.

She alleged that Mahadik fraudulently used her college's letterhead and stamp to seek the mark sheets.

Fernandes said, "I had informed the exam department about the issue, but the university still issued a separate set of mark sheets. The matter has been investigated by the university and I cannot share more details." She said she had also written to the Mira-Bhayandar police.
Mahadik was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts.

Probe underway: MU

Vinod Patil, director of the board of examinations and evaluation of Mumbai University, said "Following the complaint in December, we set up a three-member enquiry panel. The panel has submitted their observations and we are investigating the matter. There is no set deadline, but we will be able to resolve the matter in the next two months and action will be taken against those found guilty."

More such cases?

MU's senate member Pradeep Sawant has written to the vice-chancellor and other authorities demanding that both the colleges be blacklisted and a police case be filed against them.

"How can such an arrangement be worked out without the university's knowledge. This means there are many institutes that are resorting to such measures to earn extra income. I sent the complaint three months back, and the university has failed to take action yet. The varsity must help the students get admission to another affiliated college," Sawant said.