Save American College Blogspot: 'Probe Manipulation of American College Principal's PhD Certificate'

INDIAN EXPRESS 29-09-2012 PAGE 3

" CERTAIN CONSPIRACY TO MANIPULATE THE DEGREE AWARDED CANNOT BE IGNORED AS OVERSIGHT ” - office-bearers, Action Committee

The Action Committee for Protecting American College (ACPAC) on Friday demanded a high level probe into the manipulation of Ph D certificate issued to M. Davamani Christober, Principal of American College.

T. Chinnaraj Joseph Jaikumar, vice-president of the committee and Professor D. Winfred Thomas, Secretary of the committee, told reporters that M Davamani Christober obtained his promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor of Mathematics on the basis of his claim that he possessed an interdisciplinary Ph D degree with Education and Mathematics as subjects. Later he used the same argument to become Principal.

On the basis of complaints sent to the Chief Minister's cell by the ACPAC and a few other litigants and the notice received from the Madras HC, the Research Advisory Committee of Alagappa University enquired into the issue and gave its findings which were approved by the

committee meeting held on July, 19, 2012.

The minutes of the meeting clearly indicated that

· the candidate (M Davamani Christober) had registered in Education discipline only.

· All the three examiners who adjudicated the thesis and the Board of Viva-voce Examiners recommended the award of PhD in Education only.

· However, the degree was awarded in Education (Interdisciplinary) .

· Hence, it was resolved to withdraw the PhD degree certificate already issued and in its place a revised certificate be issued in "Education" upon the approval of the Syndicate of the University.

These commendations were ratified by the Standing committee on academic affairs and later by the Syndicate of the University on September 6, 2012.

In this regard the ACPAC office-bearers said, "Though the Alagappa University has acted on the basis of certain complaints, administrative lapses and certain conspiracy to manipulate and misrepresent the nature of Ph D degree awarded cannot be ignored as oversight."

The issue of certificate is in total violation of the Ph D regulations issued by the University. Hence, a high level probe is required.

The ACPAC is also planning to file cases with the civil and criminal courts of justice.

S Karuthapandian, Dean (Research) and Convener of the Research Advisory committee, told Express that the report in this regard was sent to the CM's Cell and the High Court.

Davamani Christober maintained he has interdisciplinary doctorate and is also guiding research scholars in Mathematics.

News Analysis:

It is intriguing how Mr. Davamani still can maintain a blatant lie even after being exposed that he doesn’t have an Interdisciplinary PhD degree.

Mr. Davamani’s answer to IE reporter rakes up another issue.

How can a person who has a PhD degree only in Education can guide students for PhD in Mathematics? How the Research Offices of a University (MKU or Alagappa University) can permit such a thing to happen.

If that is possible, a person with a PHD in Tamil can guide a PhD student in Biotechnology!!!!

DECCAN CHRONICLE 29-09-2012 PAGE 3