Man points fingers as son’s diploma in engineering claims he did chemistry instead

Imran enrolled for a three-year course in electrical eng. in 2005.

KARACHI:

When Nazar Ahmed went to collect his son’s diploma from the Sindh Board of Technical Education’s office last month, he was shocked to note that the board had made a mistake.

Instead of awarding Imran Ahmed Khan, 25, a diploma in electrical engineering, they had given him a diploma in chemical technology.

Imran, who was enrolled at the Government College of Technology, Karachi, in 2005 for a three-year programme, says he had provided the board with all the documents, including the consolidated marksheets and character certificate in March, but the board kept making excuses for not giving the degree.

While talking to The Express Tribune about why he needed the degree, Imran’s father said that it was better to pick it up from the board office now rather than run around in circles later. Usually the board issues marksheets immediately after a candidate graduates so they can apply for further studies or a job. The degree is prepared within a year or more and it is up to the candidate to collect it from the board office near Nipa Chowrangi.

In this case, for some unknown reason, the examination controller, secretary and chairperson of the board, did not double check the documents before conferring the degree. The diploma, which is prepared by one person, then checked by another individual, is also “super  checked” by a third person to avoid errors.

“It was an honest mistake,” said an employee of the board who did not wish to be named. “It is the sort of mistake you make once in a lifetime.” Nazar, who has gone to the board around 10 times to sort the matter out, claims that a board employee told him not to waste their time and bring proof of the diploma mix up. “Not getting a reward for all the hours you spend working and studying hurts. My son worked hard for this degree,” he said. “The disappointment is killing us. It is like receiving a degree in coal mining after spending years learning about space and rocket science.”

Imran spent three years picking courses, including principles of electrical engineering, basic electrical drawing and utilisation of electrical energy, and will have to prove himself to set the record straight.

“You do not get a migration certificate without verification, let alone a degree,” said the examination controller, Syed Azhar Ali Shah, while talking to The Express Tribune. “I cannot comment on this case without looking at the degree.”

According to the board’s secretary, Waheed Ahmed Sheikh, he did not have anything to do with Imran or the diploma. “I was appointed as the secretary after the degree was conferred,” he said.

“Although I am responsible for the board now, I think the mistake was made during the candidate’s college registration process.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2012.