Mansoor Peer
Srinagar, May 19: Students pursuing B.Sc. Medical Technology courses at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences on Tuesday demanded recognition of their degrees under the Allied Healthcare Council and sought equal job opportunities outside the institute.
A group of students alleged that their B.Sc. Medical Technology degrees are not recognised outside SKIMS, leaving nearly 250 graduates struggling to secure jobs and professional registration.
The students said that although the courses were introduced by SKIMS and admissions were conducted through the Board of Professional Entrance Examinations (BOPEE), the degrees have not been registered under the recently formed Allied Healthcare Council.
“We have learned that our degree is not considered valid outside SKIMS. The course has no proper registration under the Allied Healthcare Council, which has put our future at risk,” the students said.
They demanded immediate registration of the courses and inclusion of the degree in recruitment rules for Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that they are currently ineligible to apply for several posts.
“Our degree is not mentioned in the recruitment rules of the new GMCs. Despite qualifying examinations with good scores, we are being declared ineligible for jobs,” the students alleged.
The students further claimed that they have been approaching different offices and officials for the past six years but no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the issue.
“We were not informed at the time of admission that the course lacked proper registration or recognition. Now our careers are at stake and our families are suffering,” they said.
According to the students, several graduates have already been denied employment opportunities as employers reportedly termed the degree invalid due to the absence of proper recognition and registration.
The aggrieved students also claimed that they had raised the matter with several officials, including the Health Minister, but no resolution has been reached so far.
They further alleged that the administration had informed them that the course might eventually be discontinued under National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, raising concerns about the future of existing students and graduates.
“There are around 250 students whose careers are at stake. The Government and SKIMS administration must intervene and save our future,” the students said.