PANAJI - Nearly 300 students enrolled over the last three years at the International Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS), a tourism oriented management institute here, have been left high and dry without their degrees.

In his complaint submitted to the Panaji police station Constancio Vas, along with nearly 50 other parents of students who were enrolled in the various hospitality, tourism and business management courses offered by IIAS, has demanded a probe into the functioning of the institute, which he claims is “not recognised and non affiliated”.

“Students who have enrolled in 2004 and who later passed out in 2007 have not yet received their degree certificates issued through or under a recognised university of India,” Vas has said in his complaint.

Another complainant Piedade Fernandes has said that “non availability of a degree certificate had put her son Ian’s job at stake”. Ian who had joined the institute in 2004, completed his degree in 2007.

Annually Goa sees a frenzied rush to hospitality and tourism industry oriented degree and diploma courses, which are tailor-made to enable undergraduate youngsters seek employment in the hospitality industry in Goa and outside.

Vas now claims that neither the police nor the education department have done much about their travails, despite two months of running from pillar to post.

“We submitted the police complaint on Aug 28, but they have still not filed a First Information Report (FIR). The police in fact verbally abused us and made us leave,” Vas, who Monday submitted the complaint to the leader of the opposition Manohar Parrikar, told IANS.

Parrikar said that prima facie, the matter appeared to be a “semi fraud”. “I will see that action is taken within three days,” the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said.

Meanwhile, IIAS in a letter submitted to the under secretary of higher education R.K Halarnkar Oct 8, has admitted that they did not have a no objection certificate from the state government to run the courses for the past 12 years.

“We are to inform you that we were not aware of the requirement as we were made to understand, that there was no explicit provision for the same,” Anniruddha Das, assistant vice president of IIAS, said.

Das further stated that IIAS was a charitable trust registered in Kolkata. The institute started in Goa in 1997. Last week in a public statement, Das said that IIAS was in touch with state government officials and accused the parents of misguiding the media. “Students who have enrolled for five year courses expect degrees in three years. How is that possible?” he asked.