Bhubaneswar, Feb. 3: Students of Master of Business Administration (MBA) at the Regional College of Management (Autonomous) are in a fix.

The students of four academic years — 2009-2011, 2010-2012, 2011-2013 and 2012-2014 — have alleged that they have not received their original degree certificates from the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT), which is their parent institution.

The students alleged that in the absence of original certificates it was becoming very difficult for them to apply for jobs. “Nobody knows RCMA, recruiters know the BPUT and ask for the varsity certificate,” said Vivek Kumar, a student.

The problem began when RCM was granted autonomy in 2009 by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and began admitting students for MBA with its own set of guidelines.

The college also went ahead to admit students who did not clear the OJEE, thus flouting the BPUT norms.

The BPUT authorities have since stopped issuing certificates to the college stating that the RCM had admitted students without adhering to the BPUT guidelines.

The students rued that the college misled them saying it was affiliated to the BPUT.

“The admit cards, certificates, loan letters, college leaving certificates, mark sheets and provisional certificates have the name of the university, then why are we not being given our certificates?” Subham, a student, said.

“Also, if the BPUT is aware of all the wrongdoings, why is it allowing the college to cheat students year after year? Who is responsible for it?” he said.

The students filed an RTI with the UGC enquiring about the affiliation of the institute.

“The RTI answers suggested that no students from RCMA is registered under the BPUT. It is strange that tussle between two institutes is spoiling the career of hundreds of students here,” said Pratik, another student.

The students have demanded immediate intervention of the technical education department to solve the ongoing crisis.

The students threatened to sit on a hunger strike outside the secretariat if their demands were not met in a month’s time.

“BPUT officials have assured that the problem relating to the original certificates will be resolved within a month's time. I have spoken to the university vice-chancellor and once they begin issuing the certificates, we will clear all the backlogs at once,” RCM director Prabir Pal said.

He, however, claimed that only students of two previous batches did not receive their certificates.