Manipal University's novel plan to make money

Dubai, Sep 9 (UNI) Manipal University's Dubai campus has devised a novel plan to make more money by charging the parents Dh 200 (Rs 2,400) each if they want to attend the graduation ceremony.

The decision by the management of Dubai Campus of India's Manipal University to charge the accompanying guests has raised a howl of protests from the students, the Khaleej Times reported.

The university sent an e-mail to its 2008 graduating students last Thursday, notifying them that ''any accompanying guest'' would have to shell out Dh 200 if they want to witness their child's graduation ceremony on October 18. Nearly 1,600 people, including 575 students, are expected to attend the ceremony.

This is the first time the university is charging parents or guests. The university's management has justified the decision by saying that guests were being charged because the auditorium was being hired.

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