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Private university shut down in Bahrain

Manama, October 11, 2013

Bahrain authorities have revoked the licence of a private university at the centre of an alleged grade-fixing scandal, a report said.

Classes have been immediately halted at Delmon University for Science and Technology, in Hoora, the report in the Gulf Daily News, our sister newspaper said.

The decision was taken yesterday by the Higher Education Council (HEC), which also ordered the university to return all student fees for this academic year - which has only just started.

The 250 students still at the university will be found places at other institutions and any difference in fees will be met by the government, HEC secretary-general Dr Riyadh Youssef Hamza told a Press conference yesterday.

Two members of staff are currently standing trial in the High Criminal Court for allegedly altering exam results of students in exchange for cash.

However, the decision to revoke the university's licence was taken after it missed two deadlines to hand over almost 1,000 ratified certificates and signed documents to the HEC.

"The original grades that have been given by the university to its students will be validated if brought to the HEC - even though the university has refused to make a declaration that it stands by the grades it has issued to its students," Dr Hamza said.

"The HEC has asked the university to immediately hand over all the certificates and transcripts - either to students directly or to the HEC via a representative - that includes those students who have still not graduated.

"The university has to return this year's fees to students.

"Because there are still students who have not completed their studies the council will help them find new universities and assist in the transfer.

"Also their fees will be compensated, so that students don't have to pay any more than they already have."

He presented evidence of alleged grade-fixing provided to the courts and a letter written by a member of the Delmon University board of trustees, who said he condoned the decision to close the university.

"There are 41 discrepancies that have been taken to court and those came out of a very small sample that was provided to the HEC by the university," said Dr Hamza.

"I am sure the university got rid of the rest in the time that has elapsed."

Education Minister Dr Majid Al Nuaimi accompanied Dr Hamza during the Press conference at the Education Ministry, in Isa Town. - TradeArabia News Service
 




Tags: Bahrain | university |

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