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------------------------------------------------------------------------------ GOACAN and Vasco Consumer Forum protests injustice to BBA students, demands urgent action from Goa University and Govt. of Goa. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the occasion of the 20th Annual Convocation of Goa University being held today, volunteers of GOACAN and the Vasco Civic and Consumer Forum (VCCF) held a protest action in Panjim City to highlight the specific problem of non-refund of fees faced by the affected BBA students of the disaffiliated College of Arts & Management Sciences (CAMAS), Aquem, Margao and to demand immediate action from the Govt. of Goa against unscrupulous elements in the field of Higher Education preying on innocent students in the State. It maybe recalled that College of Arts & Management Sciences (CAMAS), Aquem, Margao managed by the Karpe Education Trust discontinued its BBA course early this year after the Goa University withdrew its affiliation. In April a decision was taken at a meeting of the Principals of the BBA Colleges held under the Chairmanship of the Registrar of Goa University that the College of Arts & Management Sciences (CAMAS) refunds 100% of the fees charged to the students and that the affected students would be relocated to other colleges and this decision was approved by the Standing Committee of the Academic Council of the University in its meeting held on 10th May 2007. However till date the students have not yet received their money and more over the College continues to advertise that it is recognized by the Directorate of Higher Education, Govt.of Goa. In a memorandum signed by Higino Rebelo, Convenor of the Vasco Civic and Consumer Forum(VCCF) addressed to Dr. M.M. Sangodkar, the Registrar of Goa University (GU), the Forum has demanded that Goa University takes immediate steps to arrange for the refund of 100% course fee of the amount of Rs. 25,470 /- to each of the affected students. The Forum has also demanded that the GU immediately registers a complaint with the Goa Police so as to stop the misuse / abuse of the name of Goa University by the Karpe Education Trust, Aquem, Margao and the College of Arts & Management Sciences, Aquem, Margao in the form of printing and circulating prospectus, draft prospectus, brochures advertisements, billboards stating affiliation / recognition by the Goa University to its BBA / MBA / PGDMB courses. Other demands raised by the Consumer Forum included the immediate issuance of a communication to all Higher Secondary Schools and Colleges operating in the state of Goa that the College of Arts & Management Sciences, Aquem, Margao has no permission to operate BBA / MBA / PGDBM courses as well as notices be issued to the public in the form of Advertisements and Press Releases to all the print and visual media operating in Goa informing them that the College managed by the Karpe Education Trust has been disaffiliated by the Goa University and therefore has no permission to conduct BBA / MBA / PGDMB courses. Copies of the VCCF memorandum have been marked to The Governor of Goa, The Minister for Higher Education, The Secretary, (Education), Govt. of Goa, The Director General of Police, and the Chairperson of the University Grants Commission (UGC). GOACAN in a memorandum to Mr. Bhaskar Nayak, Director, Directorate of Higher Education, has demanded a White Paper on unregistered / unrecognized educational institutions / tutorials / services/ etc. operating in the state of Goa in the field of Higher Education and offering Regular/ Correspondence Undergraduate, Post-Graduate/ Diploma Courses and an appointment of a Nodal Officer in the Department of Higher Education to handle all complaints / grievances in all such matters. GOACAN has demanded that the Directorate of Higher Education initiates a process by which the Govt. of Goa drafts a legislation to regulate the management and operation of Educational Institutions in Goa so that students are protected from being cheated of their money & education, and that a system be put in place to crack down on unscrupulous elements preying on innocent students and penalties be imposed to book the unscrupulous criminal elements involved in such acts. GOACAN and VCCF have demanded action on its demands latest by Thursday 3rd January, the reopening of the Educational Institutions in Goa after the Christmas vacation failing which they would consider filing criminal complaints against the public servants for abetment to fraud and conspiracy to cheat. The activists will also consider cases under the Consumer Protection Act 1986 for deficiency of service, causing mental agony & harassment to the affected students besides launching a state wide agitation against the apathy of the Govt. towards unscrupulous elements preying on innocent students in the field of Higher Education in Goa. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ---------------------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ---------------------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ----------------------------------------------------------------------