Will Al Falah medical college lose its NMC recognition? Trouble mounts as university gets NAAC notice
Show Cause Notice
New Delhi: Following the alleged involvement of the doctors of Al-Falah University in the shocking explosion near the Red Fort, the University has received a show-cause notice from a key body under the Union Education Ministry.
The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) has issued a show-cause notice to the university, asking why it should not recommend to the National Medical Commission (NMC) to withdraw recognition for Al-Falah University’s NMC-recognised medical programmes.
Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad has become a key focus of the investigation, as Room 13 in Building 17, occupied by three doctors, including the main accused, is believed to have been used for planning and coordination by the alleged terror group. The college campus reportedly served as the base of operations.
NDTV has reported that the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which conducts the assessment of higher educational institutes and also allots grades to them, has issued a notice to the institute highlighting that Al-Falah University's website mentions 'A' ratings by NAAC for Al-Falah School of Engineering and Technology and Al-Falah School of Education and Training.
According to the notice, even though the engineering college was graded 'A' in 2013, this grade was valid till 2018. Similarly, the Department of Teacher Education was also graded 'A' in 2011, but it was valid only till 2016.
"Both of the above colleges' accreditation status has expired. Both of the above Colleges have not yet volunteered for the Cycle-2 Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) process of NAAC," mentioned the notice.
Also Read: Faridabad Terror Module: Al-Falah Medical College denies links, calls reports baseless
As per the latest media report by NDTV, seeking an explanation from the university management regarding why NAAC should not take action against the institute, the notice, signed by the director of NAAC, Ganesan Kannabiran, asked, "Why should the University not be disqualified for future consideration for Assessment and Accreditation (A&A) by NAAC? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the UGC to withdraw the Al-Falah University's recognition under section 2(f) and 12B of UGC? Why should the NAAC not recommend to the NMC to withdraw the NMC recognition for Al-Falah University's NMC-recognized programmes?"
"In the meantime, you are required to remove the NAAC accreditation details from your website and any other publicly available / distributed documents and report back to NAAC that the above is complied with," mentioned the notice, while seeking a reply within seven days.
Al-Falah University was established by the Haryana Legislative Assembly under the Haryana Private Universities Act. It started as an engineering college in 1997. In 2013, the Al-Falah Engineering College received 'A' category accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) of the University Grants Commission. In 2014, the Haryana government granted it university status. The Al-Falah Medical College is also affiliated with the university.
Even though the private university is recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC), its medical college is regulated by the Apex Medical Education Regulatory Body i.e. NMC.
Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about the deadly car blast near the Red Fort area in New Delhi on Monday evening. The blast, which eight people and injured 20, revealed shocking details, including the alleged involvement of doctors linked to international handlers operating from Afganistan and Pakistan, and were reportedly connected with the Pulwama attack.
The doctor who was driving the Hyundai i20 that exploded near Red Fort is suspected to be the leader of a "white-collar group" of doctors in the terror module. He is alleged to have motivated other doctors to join the 10/11 blast plot. The doctor had moved to Faridabad around one and a half years ago and was working as an Assistant Professor at Al Falah School of Medical Sciences and Research. He completed his MBBS from Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar, and was among the state toppers in NEET-PG, securing an MD seat at the same college.
The blast came hours after eight people, including three doctors connected to the university, were arrested and 2,900 kilograms of explosives were seized with the uncovering of a "white-collar terror module" involving the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind and spanning Kashmir, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. A doctor, who was among the arrested, was a teacher at the Al-Falah University, PTI reported.
Al-Falah Medical College in Faridabad has become a key focus of the investigation, as Room 13 in Building 17, occupied by three doctors, including the main accused, is believed to have been used for planning and coordination by the alleged terror group. The college campus reportedly served as the base of operations.
Reacting to the incident, the Vice Chancellor of Al-Falah University, Prof (Dr) Bhupinder Kaur Anand, said that the institute was "deeply saddened and anguished by the unfortunate developments that took place" and condemns them. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all the innocent people affected by these distressing events," the VC further said.
The University has clarified that it had no connection with the doctors, who have now come under the scanner, apart from the professional link.
Condemning the reports aimed to malign the University's reputation, the Vice-Chancellor added, "The University also notes with deep concern that certain online platforms are circulating baseless and misleading stories with the clear intent of maligning the reputation and goodwill of the University. We strongly condemn and categorically deny all such false and defamatory allegations."
Also Read: Red Fort Blast: Al Falah Medical College under NMC scanner
