T’puram: Kerala Digital University (DUK) vice-chancellor (VC) Ciza Thomas outlined serious financial irregularities at the university in the report she submitted to chancellor Rajendra V Arlekar. She pointed out several issues that questioned transparency and governance at the university. It was reported that several teaching faculties at the university have private business interests.

Some senior faculty members own five or more private companies without the university’s official permission or knowledge. They misuse university resources, office space, staff, research students and services for activities of these private companies. Govt-funded projects are being implemented through these private entities without proper scrutiny, she said in her report.

India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (IGEIC) fraud

She wrote in her report that Graphene Aurora Project, funded by the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) with partial support from Kerala govt, was a major example of fund misuse. Initially, IGEIC, a private entity, was listed as the implementing partner in the project’s preliminary administrative approval.

However, this firm was registered only after MeitY issued an order. Recognising this irregularity, MeitY issued a corrigendum, correcting DUK as the actual implementing agency. Despite this, the report said that Rs 3.94 crore received by DUK from MeitY for FY 2024-25 was immediately transferred to IGEIC. Sometimes, DUK was compelled to transfer funds to IGEIC even before completing official procedures, said the report.

When DUK requested a utilization certificate for the next instalment from MeitY, IGEIC initially refused to provide bills and vouchers. Most expenses shown were related to travel, accommodation, honorarium, professional fees, audit fees, snacks and lunch, raising doubts about the credibility of expenses in a project of national importance. A space in Technopark, renovated by DUK spending Rs 2.9 crore, is being used for accommodation by IGEIC employees and other private company project staff. DUK bears the rent and maintenance costs of this space, said the report.

The report requested the chancellor to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into these issues, verify the authenticity of submitted bills and utilization records and investigate the misuse of govt funds.