St Stephen8217;s acting principal Thampu8217;s PhD fails UGC test

Thampu8217;s PhD certificate 8212; a copy of which is with The Indian Express 8212; shows him as enrolled at the minority Allahabad Agricultural Institute-Deemed University AAI-DU as a PhD student of Theology from January 2005 to November 2007. His subject: HIV-AIDS, Gospel and Culture: A Theological Enquiry into the Interface between Gospel and Culture in respect of a global pandemic.

In a written reply to a detailed questionnaire sent by The Indian Express, the UGC today said that as per the law Section 22 of the UGC Act, 1956, the commission has not 8220;specified any degree in the name and style of Bachelor in divinity, Masters in Theology and Doctorate in Theology8221;.

So 8220;since Bachelor in Divinity and Master in Theology are not specified degrees under the law, the terminal degree of Doctorate in Theology of the same institutions/faculty/department can not be treated as a recognised qualification for appointment in a teaching job in any university and college,8221; says the UGC reply, signed by Under Secretary V K Jaiswal.

In fact, an investigation by The Indian Express reveals that AAI-DU, the university that awarded him the degree, is not authorised by the UGC to run its Theology courses, including a PhD.

This is confirmed by the UGC: 8220;The AAI-DU is a deemed university with Agriculture as a chosen field of specialization. The deemed university status was recommended for this institution on the basis of academic assessment covering the UG and PG courses being conducted by the institute at the time of inspection of UGC expert committee. The report of the Committee did not convey any recommendation on the Theological courses.8221;

In a letter to all deemed universities in March 2004, the UGC directed them to seek prior approval for opening new centres and introducing new courses.

While Thampu was unavailable for comment, media advisor of St Stephen8217;s College Vinod Chowdhury said he had 8220;nothing to say.8221;

Official records reveal another alleged irregularity. Rev Dr Jagdhari Masih, who 8220;supervised8221; Thampu8217;s PhD, was not a regular faculty member at the university during the period Thampu says he was enrolled. But UGC rules clearly specify that only a regular faculty member can supervise course work and research in pursuance of a PhD degree, with secondary assistance from a visiting faculty if required.

Masih joined AAI-DU as 8220;honorary dean8221; of its Faculty of Theology in December 2007, barely a month before Thampu announced his PhD.

When contacted, Masih told The Indian Express: 8220;I am just an outsider, an honorary dean. I am not a regular faculty at the university. Since I am a Bishop, I can8217;t take full-time employment. But I did supervise Rev Thampu8217;s PhD.8221; When asked how and why, he declined to comment.

Meanwhile, his V-C sees the Holy Spirit at night

8226;For three weeks, The Indian Express made several attempts to get in touch with Rajendra B Lal, vice chancellor of AAI-DU, the university that gave Thampu his PhD but was told by his office staff that 8220;he was in prayer and couldn8217;t come on phone.8221;

8226;The university8217;s website describes him as an individual who has seen visions of the Holy Spirit that gave him the 8220;various prophecies and prophetic words especially anointed to heal the sick and cast out demons and preach the gospel.8221;