KUALA LUMPUR – Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) amended and resubmitted eight of its programmes within 30 days of getting flagged in a recent accreditation audit.
In a post on its Facebook page last night, the institution said accreditation of all its courses is an ongoing process as they reach maturity and require scrutiny by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA).
“We wish to reassure our students that there is no issue with the accreditation of the eight programmes that we are confident will be put back on track.”
The university said it has 98 academic programmes registered with the Higher Education Ministry, and has full MQA accreditation.
Yesterday, two LUCT students, representing more than 840 others, took aim at the institution for offering programmes that lack MQA accreditation, making their degrees worthless.
At a press conference hosted by Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming, one of the duo said hundreds of foreign students arrive every year to study at LUCT, only to find out later that their courses are not recognised either locally or globally.
These students also find it difficult to extend their visas after the accreditation is revoked. Foreign students alleged that they were told to obtain a new visa under a new programme, requiring them to return to their home countries first.
They are concerned by the lack of assurance that they will get a new visa if they do this.
Former deputy education minister Teo Nie Ching, who was present at the online presser, said MQA revokes accreditation if a course does not follow the syllabus, or if the academic staff do not have the proper qualifications.
“The Higher Education Ministry can instruct the affected students to take another course, or study at a different institution.
“The cost must be borne by the university, and not the affected students.
“At the moment, the certificates given by the university are worth nothing. The students might not even get a job,” she said, adding that LUCT must take corrective action and improve its standards.
Lawyer Syahredzan Johan said the affected students could initiate a class-action suit against the institution.
The students in a letter demanded that LUCT obtain accreditation for its courses, and if it is unable to do so, to compensate them.
Those who want to further their studies at other universities also demanded that LUCT arrange a credit transfer without forcing foreign students to leave the country due to visa rules. – The Vibes, May 4, 2021
