![]() Deshamanya and Deshabandu are not titles to be trifled with and carry much honour and respect. Hence, the background of individuals and their past record and conduct too should be taken into consideration when handing over important titles. This individual is still clinging onto the title. A well-known business magnate who was conferred the title of Deshamanya by one such Head of State went on to bring disgrace to that title years later when he was exposed as a cheat going on to swindle the money of the depositors of a finance company. However, titles granted to individuals should not be selective based on criteria such as one’s business reputation or political affiliations.Įven national titles such as Deshamanya and Deshabandu had been abused over the years and handed over willy-nilly by most Heads of State. There can be no objection to doctorates granted to individuals for lifetime service in certain spheres that benefit the community or worthy causes and contribution towards the promotion of the arts and culture (the doctorate awarded to the late Sumitra Peries by the Colombo University is indeed deserved). So-called doctorates earned overseas too should be subject to scrutiny for these could also be bogus titles gained for prestige. Handing over doctorates should be the sole preserve of the UGC or bodies having the necessary authority to do so. It was revealed some time ago certain NGOs handed over doctorates to individuals, particularly those who promoted separatism and/or devolution of power. The UGC should begin with identifying institutions and organisations responsible for handing over such titles. can only be used while one is serving in university and they can become Emeritus Professors after serving in that capacity for over 25 years. fraudulently and publicly expose such individuals. Not just bringing in laws to halt the practice in the future, the UGC also should take steps to strip all those currently holding the titles of Dr. To think that doctorates and professorships are now being handed over the counter, so to speak, perhaps for a consideration, is not only unfair by the genuine holders of these titles but also is shameful and tantamount to cheating oneself, not to mention a denigration of such exalted titles. ![]() are not handed lightly but are earned the hard way after years of immersing in study burning the midnight oil and passing examinations to reach the top. It goes without saying that the titles Dr./Prof. How the genuine academics sporting these titles would have felt is anybody’s guess. This one-time Minister along with his gang once stormed a State-owned Television station and went on the rampage until he was brought to heel by the staff of the TV station. We even had a notorious politician known for his antics and derring-do escapades basking in the title of Dr. As it is all upstarts, charlatans and nobodies already have the prefix Dr. One wonders if the decision has come rather late in the day. In fact, this step should have been taken much earlier to put a stop to the abuse of these titles. ![]() The COPE decision to have the UGC intervene in the matter is a positive step and would henceforth prevent the devaluation of these honourable titles. At present, the UGC is legally not empowered to take action against persons holding bogus doctorates. ![]() have been undermined by their improper use by various individuals. It has asked the UGC to have the necessary laws ready within one month saying the positions of Dr. The Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has instructed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to prepare laws to take action against individuals who assume the titles of doctor or professor in an improper manner.
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