GEORGE TOWN – Postgraduate students facing issues with their advisers and deans should seek the help of their university’s ombudsman, said retired Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) professor Datuk Omar Shawkataly.
Reacting to a story by The Vibes on allegations of favouritism and bullying, he said affected students should raise their problems with the ombudsman before going to other channels and platforms.
“The affected candidates could have dealt with the issue internally as the ombudsman could have mediated on their behalf. They could also meet the vice-chancellor and the deputy vice-chancellor of academic and international department for help,” said Omar, who was a USM senate member for five terms and sat in the USM board of governors for two terms.
Yesterday, it was reported that a postgraduate medical student alleged his lecturers were practicing favouritism and bullying.
The student, who is also a medical officer, alleged that exam questions were given to favoured students and those who are not in the lecturers’ good books are often given low grades.
He also claimed that there is a lack of transparency in grading even though the MRCS (Membership Examination of the Surgical Royal Colleges of Great Britain and Ireland) exam requires students be shown which component they failed so they can improve on it in the future. – The Vibes, June 1, 2022
