Bandra college cannot ignore delayed degrees and flawed marksheets

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Parents, students, alumni, and activists gathered at Dr Baliram Hiray College in Bandra East recently, alleging its interior design study centre has not issued valid degrees since its first batch that graduated in 2024, despite charging around Rs 80,000 per year.

Families waited outside seeking clarity as a delegation met the principal and representatives, with trustees absent, and were asked to return today for a detailed discussion, said an activist in our report.

Students said there is still no clarity on degree issuance or the authorised body, and while classes continue, they have no valid academic proof. A student said that they cannot hold down a job, as they are unable to produce a degree certificate even after six months in a job.

Even some marksheets are error-ridden. Some students aspiring to study overseas find it very difficult or are sweating through extremely uncertain times, as they are unsure about how to apply to foreign universities without a degree certificate in hand. Futures are on the line. Today's meeting must bring absolute clarity, and that in turn will help reassure anxious families and students. Though college authorities did promise in the report that this is being worked on and degrees will be with students soon, a written communication signed by a competent authority and pinned to the college notice board would have helped.

There should have been a communication channel set up so that the exchange is continual and parents and students are apprised about what is going on. Correct error-prone marksheets, distribute degree certificates, which are already very late.