SHILLONG, April 13 – There is something more to an IIM certificate that can make you feel proud of it.
IIM, Shillong has become the first among the prestigious IIMs to issue unique certificates that are boil-proof and tear-resistant.
During its maiden convocation held recently, the B-school issued certificates and marksheets on a high-tech tamper-proof material to its first batch of 63 graduates.
The recyclable material was chosen to fulfil the sustainability model of the management school since it provided the two-fold advantage of preventing tampering or counterfeiting, chairman of the IIM’s Post Graduate Programme (PGP) Prof Swapan Kumar Mazumdar said.
Provided by Cognet, a city-based communication and security consultant, the testimonials were printed on Tyvek – synthetic but environmentally safe material.
Cognet’s chief executive Sanjay Sharma said any imprint on Tyvek remains indelible due to its unique physical and chemical properties.
“Its unique ability to breathe while being waterproof ensures that the printed matter remains completely intact even after up to six months of submersion in saline water,” he said.
Sharma, an accredited consultant on Tyvek and its applications, claimed that even the most skilled forger would find it impossible to work on thesecertificates without the evidence of tampering apparent even to the naked eye.
“Highly resilient, documents on Tyvek are tear resistant and can withstand temperatures ranging from 120 degree C up to 150 degree C, making them even boiling-waterproof. Lamination is rendered redundant,” Sharma said.
He, however, cautioned against attempts to use laminating devices or laser printers, which use heat to bond the toner pigment with the surface of the document. – PTI
IIM, Shillong issues tamper-proof certificates
