Indore: While it has finalised new format of degree with QR code, the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya is still to take a decision on incorporating advanced security features into its mark sheets to check counterfeiting. Despite clear and loud instructions from the University Grants Commission (UGC), the university is not incorporating security features into mark sheets leaving scope for preparation of fake academic document.
Due to lack of security features in the academic documents, education institutions and prospective employers are finding difficulties in checking the authenticity of mark sheet issued by the DAVV. Cases of mark sheet verification are on the rise at the DAVV thereby engaging employees of an already under-staff university in an additional work of verification.
Deputy registrar (exams) Prajwal Khare admitted that there is a rise in mark sheet verification cases. “Prospective employers send copies of job applicants’ mark sheets – which are printed on plain paper — to the university for verification. The university employees have to manually match the documents against their records,” Khare said.
In a letter to all vice-chancellors, the UGC had cited the example of the University of Mumbai, which has since 2010 been issuing rainbow colour mark sheets that also carry the students’ photographs. However, it said, the universities may adopt any technology they want. Several technologies exist that can check forgery of mark sheets or certificates.
Rainbow colour printing, watermarks and penetrating numbering are a few of the technologies that insure documents against easy duplication. No local printer can produce counterfeit documents if these technologies are used. Mark sheets with security features will allow educational institutions and prospective employers to easily check their authenticity without having to consult the certificate-issuing authorities.
Copy of existing mark sheet available in market
Copy of DAVV’s existing mark sheet is available in market, sources claimed. City police found fake mark sheet of the DAVV about four years ago. Following the development, previous year the university had resolved to incorporate security features into their mark sheet but the initiative was put in a cold store.
Students also complain about poor quality paper used for mark sheet. The paper could not hold the ink for long, they claim. The degrees of the DAVV are also under question. Unlike other universities in the state, the DAVV issues two copies of degrees – one in Hindi and another in English. The DAVV’s degrees also lack advanced security features.