Have a read about my case with TAPMI:
In absence of any revert from yourselves, or from the your so called 'Grievance Cell' (Ombudsman) I am assuming that the institute has backtracked on its commitment. It is extremely sad that a renown educational institute such as TAPMI has sidelined a student's career aspirations altogether. The actions of the institute has put the student's future and his family's money under immense risk.
Letter forwarded to ombudsman already twice (Got no Response), have a look:
I solicit your intervention in providing resolution to my grievances caused by TAPMI's insensitive and unscrupulous actions which have severely dented my educational and career aspirations. As part of admission process, I had paid Rs. 8.25 lakhs for academic fees of 1st year but was forced to withdraw from the course after 1st semester itself and asked to re-join for 2015-2017 PGDM program. However, during re-joining I was not allowed to enroll under 2015-2017 roll number. I thus seek refund of fees after adjusting for first semester charges. The following are the complete details of my case.
After undertaking CAT examination and clearing successive interview rounds, I applied and completed application formalities for TAPMI's 2 years PGDM program (2014-2016 batch) by May14th, 2014 with payment of Rs. 8.25 lakhs. Even though this was an expensive amount for my family, who is also meeting medical expenses of my sister's terminal illness (multiple sclerosis, details in attachment 1), the entire fees for 1st year was duly paid in advance.
It was thus implicit that I would be allowed to participate in PGDM course for 1 year, and my promotion to next year's program would be based on the entire year's academic performance. This fact was also mentioned on the institute's website at the time of admission Thus, at the time of making fee payment, my father and I were assured that this fee amount will be utilized towards my education for at least for 1 year. Furthermore, the clear statement on institute's website left no uncertainty in this matter.
Please note that the PGDM handbook was not made available till then and I was not aware about the rules of the institute. In fact, as per the communication received on 24th April 2014, there was no definitive timeline for availability of PGDM handbook. I, thus, came to know about the rules of the institute during induction program only.
As per a rule which was communicated during induction, the institute can enforce withdrawal from program if I don't score GPA of 4.4 or more from 1st semester itself. This rule was in complete violation of the evaluation criterion mentioned on the website. I was surprised as to how could TAPMI exhibit such misguidance. I am sure you would agree that there should have been more clarity about such a critical rule where a student stands to lose the entire year's fee after 1 semester itself.
Please note that there is no other institute in India which follows such a rule. The best practice followed by institutions is to provide education at least till 1 year, during which the student is provided enough chances to prove himself or herself. By providing false information on website, I am sure you will agree that TAPMI has indulged in a wrongful ethical practice and its code of conduct is objectionable.
Thus, I was not given a fair chance to prove myself. My father later met the institute's director, Mr. Natarajan, and appealed for giving me another fair opportunity. Even though the director acknowledged that the rule for withdrawal after 1 semester was not apprised to the student or parents during fee payment, the institute will not allow me to continue and that I need to make a fresh restart from 2015-2017 batch. The director however promised that I will not be at any disadvantage after re-joining.
After that meeting, there was no communication from institute until April 17th 2015. As per the communication I was expected to make another payment for Rs. 2,16,331 which was to be adjusted as academic fee and mess charges for 1st semester of PGDM Programme 2015-2017. The entire communication emphasized upon re-admission to the 2015-2017 program. Even at the risk of financial discomfort, my father agreed to arrange for the fee payment, in the hope that I would be able to excel in my studies and join a reputable organization based on my merit.
However, as the deadline for re-admission approached, I came to know from a friend that I would be enrolled under 2014-2016 roll number and not 2015-2017 roll number. I could not understand as to why TAPMI would indulge in such a wrongful act by asking for payment of 2015-2017 batch's 1st semester fee while enrolling myself in 2014-2016 batch. Please note that roll number of 2014-2016 naturally puts me at a disadvantage as compared to rest of the batch during placements and internships. This is because any organization recruiting candidates for jobs would prefer 2015-2017 batch students over those whose roll numbers belong to 2014-2016 batch. In such a scenario, my resume would not be able to clear the screening stage itself, and I would not be able to prove my potential.
My father repeatedly sought clarification from institute on this matter. but the institute did not reply on the same. Given the grave seriousness of the concern, it was essential for us to seek a written confirmation from the institute so that we can plan accordingly. This is because we already had been fooled before and hold apprehensions towards the institute's autocratic methods. Eventually, the admission date deadline lapsed while the institute did not revert on the matter.
As per the earlier received communication, if payment of Rs. 2,16,331 was not received by the deadline, the offer for rejoining would be considered as withdrawn. Left with no choice, my father requested the institute to close my admission file and make necessary refund. Since the institute failed to keep its commitments for fair re-admission, it is only apt that the institute refunds the fees.
The institute has however reverted that the director is travelling abroad and apparently, there is no other person who holds power to take the matter forward.However, I can no longer afford to wait and hence am reaching out to you for your intervention. An entire year of my life has been made futile by TAPMI's unethical actions. The harassment caused by TAPMI to me and my family cannot be expressed in words. Given my family's financial constraints, I cannot pursue higher education from any other institute. I request for your help in expediting the refund process so that I can regain control of my life's direction.
Since I've participated for 1 semester only, kindly make adjustment till that extent (assuming its Rs. 2,16,331) and refund the remaining amount (Rs. 8,25,000 - 2,16,331 = Rs. 6,08,669) Haven't got any response as of now.
After total ignorance about my case, Requesting now for your judicious action in this regard.
Regards
Ankit Garg
Case forwarded to AICTE.
and consumption.