The ”ruling” that the degree of M. Tech Computer Science and Engineering conferred by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University Katra , University of Jammu , NIT Srinagar and Guru Nanak Dev University was not equivalent to Masters Degree in Computer Application and Master in IT has not only generated controversies but at the outset, cast lengthy shadows on career prospects of thousands of M. Tech students . This decision has been given by the Equivalence Committee of Higher Education Department which has been termed as a unilateral decision as all the members on the said committee were allegedly not taken on board as no agenda was circulated nor any wide deliberations taken place over such a sensitive issue as concerning the career of thousands of students.
At least, not only all the members on the committee should have taken part in deciding about the issue but the concerned universities too should have been consulted and their views ascertained. It is firmly believed that not only was the said decision much controversial but also unilateral and arbitrary too. It also goes repugnant to the Higher Education Department’s own decision taken in May 2019 wherein the degrees in question were declared as equivalent to Master’s degree in Computer Application and in IT.
What is required is to have the matter referred to the UGC also wherein the reference about the UPSC in recruitment advertisements treating the qualification exactly as is decided aversely by the Higher Education Department. In the meantime, the aggrieved students having approached the Lieutenant Governor to direct the Higher Education Department revert to its decision of May 2019 needs to be looked into, in totality.