It is known to be one of the famous educational institutions in the region, a brand carefully crafted and cultivated. Huge campus, massive infrastructure, “world class facilities”: it boasts about its many USPs.
But behind all this glamour lies the real face of AMITY: a university which has turned education into a profitable business. Not many who study there in the hope of a bright career are aware that the varsity has been blatantly violating the UGC norms. Its two campuses in Greater Noida, and Lucknow that draw students in hordes from across the country are illegal.
The university was established in 2005 during the regime of Mulayam Singh Yadav. It is believed that it was on the insistence of his close aide and Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh that the Greater Noida campus was set up.
Interestingly, on being asked, the Uttar Pradesh Higher Education department could not give a satisfactory reply on the illegal campuses being run by Amity. However, on being shown the UGC guidelines of 2005, Jitendra Kumar, chief secretary, higher education department he conceded to the fact that both the campuses were illegal. Kumar, however, refused to endorse his statement officially, saying that the matter should be taken up with special secretary B B Singh.
Singh, on his part, refused to comment but said that his department would send a notice seeking clarification from the university on the matter.
As per latest updates, UP Government will initiate a probe in the Amity issue.
Watch our special report on this issue:
We debated & analysed Amity’s illegal campuses at Greater Noida and Lucknow on our special show Loktantra.