Student cry foul over 'fake' diploma course in M'sia

Student cry foul over 'fake' diploma course in M'sia

While enrolling for a diploma course in cruise management, Indian national Faheem Khan, 24, claimed he was promised a high paying job.

But he has alleged that after he arrived in Malaysia, he realised that the college did not offer such programmes.

He is among 400 foreign students who are crying foul over an alleged scam that saw them lose RM8 million (S$3 million) on a "non-existent" diploma programme.

The students claimed that they had paid RM20,000 each in tuition fees, The Star reported.

Said Mr Khan at a press conference organised by non-profit organisation Tenaganita on Monday: "Instead of going to classes, we were sent to work at a five-star hotel for about 12 to 16 hours a day under the pretext of doing an internship."

REFUND CLAIM

He said he filed a refund claim at the Consumer Tribunal and won the case but the private college appealed to the High Court.

"On Nov 19, the High Court upheld the decision but I am still afraid that the college might appeal again," he said, adding that a police report against the college has been made.

Nepalese national Miss Rojinna Risal, 22, quit her job at her home country to enrol in the course.

She said: "The recruitment officer told us that we were guaranteed internship places at recognised cruise companies with salaries starting from about RM4,800 to RM8,000."

But she alleged that the college authorities forced students like her to work at hostels instead.

Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan said the ministry will investigate the allegations against the institution. "We do not condone such practices," The Star quoted him as saying. "Action will be taken against the college if the allegations are true."

He said that the ministry viewed the issue seriously because it could tarnish the image of the country as an international education hub.

Tenaganita executive director Dr Irene Fernandez urged the authorities to seal the operations of the private college because it is still recruiting students from all over the world.


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