In the latest development to pranks in which bogus application was registered under the name of Bollywood stars, principals and vice-chancellors of Kolkata colleges and universities are now riveted to their computer screens. As the admission process for the 2021-22 academic session begins the officials are eyeing Bollywood star Sunny Leone to prevent the prank that caused the education department far too much embarrassment last year.
According to reports, a bogus application was filed in the name of Sunny Leone in 2020, and it made it to the top of the merit list in English Literature at Asutosh College, prompting a slew of internet memes. Sunny Leone herself tweeted about how “excited” she was to be back in college.
Last year, colleges and universities were preoccupied with figuring out the entire online admissions procedure, and Sunny's fake application slipped between the filter process and made the merit list. However, this year colleges are not leaving any stone left unturned to avoid such a situation.
Colleges are already on the lookout and have implemented mechanisms to filter out such applications, either during the application process or just before the merit list is published.
As there is no application fee and most colleges cannot physically examine documents before admission, the probability of such pranks is higher. The authorities at Asutosh College, where the event took place, have instructed applicants to report online before the final merit list is drawn up at each level.
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“The students will be instructed to save copies of their mark sheets, photographs, signatures, and other documents, which we will compare to the ones they submitted during the application process. Anyone attempting to pull a prank or submit misleading info will be caught at this point,” stated a college official.
“We want to prevent a repeat of last year's event, so we're taking precautions.”
From 18th to 20th of August, the first online application will be available.
Presidency University has also prepared for the verification of all documents and other materials throughout the application process. The students have also been given instructions to report online. Ramakrishna Mission Vidya Mandir and St. Xavier's College are also using a similar kind of internet system. Many colleges have created a team, and professional companies are doing the task in many places.