BSS Photo: UGC Logo

Source: BSS

DST News: The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has warned students and the public against enrolling in three fraudulent foreign university branch campuses operating in the country.

According to a UGC press release issued on Thursday, the institutions — America World University (USA), Trinity University (USA), and the Spiritual Institute of New York — are not recognized or approved by the Bangladesh government or the commission.

The warning followed an inquiry initiated after Bangladesh Commerce Bank Limited sought verification of academic credentials submitted by two students claiming degrees from America World University and Trinity University. The UGC discovered that these so-called branch campuses were functioning without authorization.

The commission clarified that it has not received any project proposals or applications for approval from these institutions, as confirmed by the list of proposed universities sent by the Education Ministry.

UGC further noted that several unapproved branch campuses, tutorial centers, and study centers of foreign universities are operating illegally across Bangladesh. These unauthorized entities have been offering degrees such as Bachelor’s, Master’s, MPH, MBA, MPhil, and PhD — all in violation of existing laws.

The statement warned that students are paying money to obtain certificates from these fake universities, many of whom are later deceived and left with invalid qualifications.

To curb these fraudulent activities, the UGC has recently written to the Home Ministry, the Education Ministry, and the Anti-Corruption Commission, urging strict action against the illegal institutions.