Digital University Kerala comes under scanner over suspicion of financial irregularities; V-C urges Chancellor to initiate audit
In her report to the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of DUK, Dr. Thomas flagged instances of conflict of interest among faculty with external business interests. She pointed out that several senior faculty members owned and operated private companies without formal permission from the university. Besides, university infrastructure, including office space, staff and research scholars were being utilised to run these entities. Moreover, government-funded projects were being routed through some of these companies without appropriate scrutiny.
The Vice-Chancellor has raised several doubts in the case of the Graphene Aurora programme and the involvement of I-GEIC, a private entity. While the Bengaluru-headquartered firm was initially listed as the projects' implementing agency, MeitY later issued a corrigendum to identify the university as the implementing agency. Despite the correction, the university transferred ₹3.94 crore of the project funds received in 2024-25 to the company.
Onus on varsity
It is alleged that the memorandums of understanding signed by the DUK with I-GEIC and MeitY places full responsibility on the university for project implementation, while shielding the private firm from operational accountability. The agreements are allegedly skewed against the university's interests.
The report also highlights the purported misuse of university space and funds. The university's facility at Kabani building in Technopark, refurbished at ₹2.9 crore, is apparently being used to house the staff of I-GEIC and other private firms. The rent and maintenance for the space are being borne by the DUK.
Insisting that such instances are not not isolated, Dr. Thomas stated similar cases were followed in other projects too. While the university had initiated steps to facilitate an audit by the Accountant General, the Vice-Chancellor has recommended an independent audit to unearth any financial mismanagement and misuse of public resources.
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