Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani Monday said her statement on the degree from Yale University in the United States was "misconstrued"."Unfortunate that statement of my participation in a leadership programme and certificate thereafter was misconstrued," Irani said in a tweet.Speaking at the India Today Woman Summit 2014, Saturday, Irani said: "In that kitty of mine where people call me 'anpad' (illiterate), I do have a degree from the Yale University as well which I can bring out and show how Yale celebrated my leadership capacities."However, an official from the Yale University told IANS it was a "certificate" and not a "degree" programme.
The official confirmed Irani was part of the seventh edition of "India Yale Parliamentary Leadership Programme", held June 19-27, 2013.About 70 parliamentarians have received such certificates.
A total of 11 Indian members of parliament went to the campus in New Haven, Connecticut to complete a six-day leadership programme with the Yale faculty.Irani was involved in a controversy over her educational qualifications after becoming human resource development minister when it emerged she made contradictory declarations in her election affidavits.