In the year 2016, I had the opportunity to enroll in a Ph.D. course at Anna University in Chennai. Earlier I thought of joining the Ph.D. course and for three times due to various reasons, I couldn’t make it. I had an opportunity to do doctorate in Business Administration.
I have no master’s degree in Textiles. I have B.Tech. degree in Textiles. My mentor professor who wanted to help me, told me to choose three optional subjects, in the first year and advised me to qualify for a doctorate in Textiles.
The Professor took me to the Director of the Anna University of Engineering and introduced me as ‘this is our old student who works in good company and comes to our university and gives Guest Lectures and does various favors’. The Director of the University heard this and said he was happy well pleased to see me joining as a research student in University and would do all the help l needed. He asked to provide a no objection certificate from the company for giving the permission to join the course in the university and to provide him with a letter stating that the company would pay the full fees for my course of study.
When I informed this to my Company Manager who a Canadian, was very happy and gave me the letter of permission. He found the cost of the study in an Indian university to be very less and told me that the administration would accept to pay the fees even if it costs more than this. I was very happy.
I was getting ready to join the university. At that time the university asked my company to pay Rs. One lakh through DD for my studies as first installment. The company agreed to it. The DuPont company has agreement with IIT and not with Anna University. If I get a seat in IIT my company will be able to pay my fess. Even though the company is willing to pay fees, it is not possible to pay Anna University.
When I told this to the officials at Anna University, they first asked my company to make a deal with Anna University. I told the officials of Anna University it was not possible. They gave another suggestion, request the company which has tie up with Anna University, to pay DD for one lakh and settle the amount with it. When I first heard this, it was like honey to my ears. I can pay one lakh and in four years I can receive my Doctorate. God revealed to me it is wrong.
The company where I have not worked, had to give a certificate that I have been working there and it is wrong to get a certificate like that and my conscience pricks me. I went to Anna University and spoke clearly that I was not interested in this course. My mentor and Professor were sad and disappointed, but I had peace in my mind and above all I had clear conscience and happy to be a witness for Christ.
“Those who regard and follow worthless idols Turn away from their [living source of] mercy and loving kindness. (Jonah 2:8)
