What's in a name? Bengaluru City University graduates say career at risk over degree nomenclature

Bengaluru: For over four years, a group of postgraduates from Bengaluru City University (BCU) was stuck in academic limbo, not because they lacked qualifications, but because of what their degrees were called.
Awarded MSc degrees in plant science and animal science, students from 2019–2022 batches said the university's naming experiment cost them critical career opportunities.
The dispute dates back to 2019 when BCU introduced these PG programmes, namely plant science and animal science, which students allege have no precedent or recognition in Karnataka's academic or govt institutions. The students said it made them ineligible for key roles like assistant professors, pre-university lecturers, and posts in forest and pollution control departments — even after clearing competitive exams like KSET and NET.
While later batches reportedly received updated certificates, the 2019–2022 cohort claimed they were excluded from the changes.
Kiran (name changed), a 27-year-old student from Kalaburagi, said, "We are the second batch that started in 2019. It's been four years, we are still unable to get desired jobs. The notification issued on July 5, 2022, mentioned our course is equivalent to botany and zoology, but now we're being told we can't apply for related positions.
When we reached the third semester, they changed the course to a master's in botany and zoology, and while the third batch got that reflected on their certificates, we were left out.
"
According to students, although BCU issued a notification on July 5, 2022, stating plant and animal science are equivalent to botany and zoology, it has little practical value. "In many job applications, equivalent degrees are not accepted," he added.
Students said their multiple requests to vice-chancellor, registrar, and the university's syndicate went unanswered. "To make matters worse, the departments don't even exist anymore at BCU," the student said.
Another 26-year-old student said, "Animal and plant sciences are directly related to veterinary fields, and our teachers also came from botany and zoology backgrounds. Many of us are preparing for govt exams, some are chasing degree corrections, but despite all our hard work, we're left stranded."
A 25-year-old, Kalpana (name changed), who dreamed of working as a civil servant, shared, "We all wanted govt jobs, that's why we did our master's. Otherwise, we wouldn't have invested two precious years. I paid about Rs 50,000. But now, the degree is completely useless, we are eligible only for private sector jobs. The university even issued a notification promising to correct the nomenclature and provide us with an equivalence certificate.
But after we completed our master's, nothing moved. They kept asking us to approach officials again. I couldn't apply for a PhD because the degree isn't valid. We just want the issue resolved."
One of the officials from the board of studies in botany acknowledged the issue in an email response to students, a copy available with TOI. "It was the university's initial decision to use plant and animal science nomenclature.
But later, the board flagged the problems students were facing, and the university changed it. Now it's up to the authorities to consider issuing revised certificates to earlier batches."
An official from Bengaluru City University botany department said, "We can't change it now. The students know it and yet,with full knowledge they have joined the course. For later batches, we changed it and they started with botany and zoology nomenclature, but how can we give certificates in that name when they didn't do that course?"

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Indian Express

3 hours ago

• Indian Express

JoSAA Counselling 2025 Round 1: Seat acceptance deadline on June 22

JoSAA Counselling 2025 Round 1 Deadline: The Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA) is set to conclude the extended the deadline for Round 1 online reporting for the 2025 counselling cycle. Candidates who have been allotted a seat in Round 1 are required to complete all required steps, including submission of willingness (Freeze/Float/Slide), document upload, and seat acceptance fee payment, by 5 pm tomorrow, June 22, 2025 (Sunday) through the official website at JoSAA Counselling 2025 Round 1 reporting deadline extended, revised dates here This reporting process is mandatory for candidates seeking admission to institutions such as IITs, NITs, IIITs, and GFTIs. JoSAA has clearly stated that failure to complete any of the steps by the deadline will result in cancellation of the provisionally allotted seat, and the candidate will not be eligible for seat allocation in subsequent rounds. To complete the online reporting, candidates should: Step 1: Visit the official website at Step 2: Click on the Candidate Login section Step 3: Enter your registration number and password Step 4: Select the seat acceptance fee payment option Step 5: Complete the transaction and download the confirmation page For candidates who have already paid the seat acceptance fee using the pre-payment option, it is still necessary to log in, submit their willingness, and upload all required documents. Simply paying the fee without completing these steps will result in seat cancellation. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD categories are required to pay Rs 15,000, while others must pay Rs 30,000. This amount includes a non-refundable processing fee of Rs 5,000, and the balance will be adjusted against the admission fee during final college enrollment. Candidates are advised to complete all formalities before the June 22 deadline to secure their seat and remain eligible for upcoming counselling rounds.

NDTV

6 hours ago

• NDTV

Telangana Integrated Common Entrance Test Provisional Answer Key Out, Check Direct Link

TS ICET Answer Key 2025 (OUT): The Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) has released the provisional answer key for the Telangana Integrated Common Entrance Test (TS ICET) 2025. Candidates who appeared for the exam can now access the answer key on the official website - Along with the answer key, the council has also released the question papers and candidates' individual response sheets. This will help candidates evaluate their performance and estimate their scores ahead of the result declaration. The exam was held in computer-based mode on June 8 and 9, across two shifts each day-morning (10 AM to 12.30 PM) and afternoon (2.30 PM to 5 PM). Mahatma Gandhi University, Nalgonda, conducted the test on behalf of TGCHE. The TS ICET is conducted annually for admission to MBA and MCA programmes offered by universities and affiliated colleges across Telangana. Objection window and fee refund policy Candidates who find discrepancies in the provisional answer key can raise objections between June 22 and June 26. Each objection will require a fee payment of Rs 500 per question. If an objection is accepted as valid upon review, the amount will be refunded, and necessary corrections will be made in the final key. Steps To Download TS ICET 2025 Answer Key: For the updates, objection links, and other details related to TS ICET 2025, candidates are advised to follow the official website.

Scroll.in

6 hours ago

• Scroll.in

APSC Forest Ranger registration 2025 begins; here's apply link

The Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) has commenced the registrations for the recruitment of Forest Ranger in the Assam Forest Service under Environment & Forests Deptt., Assam under Advt. No. 22/2025. Applicants can register on the official website till July 20, 2025. The Commission aims to fill 50 Forest Ranger vacancies. Information regarding educational qualification, age limit, pay scale, and other details available in the notification below: Here's the official notification. Application Fee Applicants from unreserved category are required to pay a fee of Rs 297.20, whereas Rs 197.20 applies to OBC/ MOBC categories. SC/ ST/ BPL category candidates will have to pay a fee of Rs 47.20. Steps to apply for Forest Ranger posts 2025