By Ambala Marakale
Introduction
Greetings to everyone reading this.
I am sharing my personal journey not out of bitterness, but with the hope that my experience will help protect others from falling into similar traps. What follows is a sincere account of my struggles, mistakes, lessons, and ultimate path forward.
While I request confidentiality regarding my identity, I open my heart here so that others may find awareness, strength, and encouragement through my story.
Part I: The KSOU and EIMT/NIIMTES Experience — A Dream Misguided
Around 2011–2012, during a challenging phase of my life, I received a random call from a representative of the “Ethics Institute of Management and Technology (EIMT).” They offered a chance to pursue a B.Tech degree through Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) via distance education.
Coming from a humble background, having studied in a government school and completing my diploma against many odds, education had always been my dream. With limited opportunities and overwhelming responsibilities at home, I saw this as God’s answer to my prayers.
The agents skillfully convinced me by showing KSOU’s name on official websites. Trusting them, I enrolled, attended exams at a Pune center, received study material, and continued the journey without doubting their intentions.
Later, the agents informed me they had moved operations to a new institute—NIIMTES. I was assured my enrollment would continue seamlessly. I kept paying fees in good faith, hoping I would eventually earn my degree.
However, when the time came to collect my final certificates, the promises vanished into endless excuses. I realized I had been misled. Searching for answers, I contacted Verification Services, only to learn that KSOU had suspended distance education verifications due to widespread fraud.
That night, I cried silently. Years of dreams, effort, and money had been shattered.
Part II: Another Hope, Another Heartbreak — The Anna University Incident
Despite the pain, my passion for education remained alive. In 2023, a new opportunity emerged through an institute promising distance B.Tech degrees under Anna University. They showcased convincing documentation and assured quick graduation through lateral entry.
Still haunted by my earlier experience, I hesitated. Yet, driven by hope and desperation to catch up on lost time, I trusted them.
Sadly, history repeated itself.
Upon requesting key documents like transcripts and transfer certificates, the institute began delaying and avoiding my calls. Fearing another betrayal, I reached out again to verification. They confirmed my worst fear — the documents were questionable.
This time, the consequences hit harder. I had to decline a prestigious job offer because I could not produce genuine academic credentials. The emotional stress hospitalized me for three days.
The heartbreak was unbearable. In frustration, I discarded every document linked to those false promises and decided to move forward, empty-handed yet determined.
Part III: Finding True Hope — A New Beginning Through Authentic Learning
In my search for healing and growth, I discovered Coursera and LinkedIn Learning — platforms offering real, verified certifications from globally recognized institutions.
Here, I finally found the kind of education I had dreamed about back in 2005 — flexible, affordable, and genuine.
Today, I am enrolled in an Advanced Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Studies and am planning to pursue an M.Sc. in Construction Project Management thereafter.
These courses symbolize more than academic progress. They reflect my resilience, my refusal to give up, and my determination to build a better future for my two small children, ensuring they never experience the hardships I endured.
Important Lessons I Learned
- Always verify the institution and course from official government and university websites.
- Never trust shortcuts or promises of quick degrees — genuine education demands time and commitment.
- Platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning are safe and recognized alternatives for working professionals.
- Even when deceived, never lose your dignity or your spirit — true learning goes beyond degrees.
- Dreams delayed are not dreams denied. Sometimes life redirects you towards even better opportunities.
Final Words
I share my story today to protect those who, like me, once believed in promises that turned into lifelong lessons.
To anyone reading this: Stay strong. Stay aware. Genuine dreams take time to bloom — but when they do, they create gardens of endless possibilities.
Thank you to organizations like Verification Services for supporting genuine learners and fighting academic fraud. I hope my story inspires others to stay cautious, resilient, and hopeful.
Warm regards,
Ambala Marakale
