DEGREE OF DISCORD

A VIOLATION of rules has left a university graduate without a valid qualification and the chance of securing his dream job, as government officials try to unravel a whole host of bungles that have rocked the foundations of the kingdom's higher education provision.

Bahraini Tamar Essam Mustafa Abdul Razaq thought he had successfully completed a three-year Bachelor of Science degree course and he so impressed a leading bank at an interview he thought he was on the path to fulfilling his career dreams.

But his future prospects were thrown into disarray when the job offer was withdrawn because his qualifications could not be validated. He now faces a bureaucratic nightmare to try and untangle the mess.

Frustrated Tamar, 20, from Budaiya, said: "It is a very difficult situation. I don't have a job and cannot even pursue a Masters Degree. I have been sitting at home for the past nine-months now, taking an occasional temporary job to fill in the time and I don't know what to do."

The dilemma arises because he was accepted at the Kingdom University in Zinj after successfully completing seven O-levels from Sacred Heart School in Isa Town. Tamar says completing the degree course cost him BD11,000 in fees.

The Ministry of Education, however, states that it only endorses bachelor degree qualifications of students who have completed A-levels or an equivalent qualification before starting at university or those who have completed a foundation year.

The Kingdom University refused to comment when called by GulfWeekly, although a member of staff, who refused to be named, said it remained 'positive' that the problem would be resolved and that the government would come to a decision soon.

GulfWeekly has been told there are other students from a number of private universities facing exactly the same problem as Tamar, although actual figures have not been released.

Tamar said: "The universities admitted us for the undergraduate programme knowing our previous qualifications. We have not done anything wrong so why should we have to stay at home and do nothing? I am 20-years-old. I cannot continue to take money from my parents or my brother."

Tamar Razaq, a victim of the university degree shambles that has shattered the dreams of hundreds of Bahraini students, is desperate for the conflict to be resolved.

"I like banking and I want to eventually set up my own business. I have normal dreams to own a house, a car and lead a normal life," he said.

"Today, if they say come clean the streets I would do it. But no one will offer me a full time job while this situation continues.

"Anything is better than staying at home. I have nothing to do. At the moment I'm sitting at home and watching TV ... it is extremely boring.

"I understand that I have to wait until the Ministry of Education comes up with a solution but I have been waiting for clarification for months.

"The question I want to ask is; when will all this be resolved? It is almost one year since I thought I had earned my degree."

Other issues facing education bosses include allegations that some universities have been violating the number of 'credit hours' students have to take to qualify for degrees and unauthorised fast-tracking. It is understood 360 students have been left with qualifications not worth the paper they are written on.

It is believed that education chiefs are considering making students caught up in the crisis sit a further examination or assessment before validating their degrees.

Assistant secretary general for accreditation and evaluation, Dr Muna Mohamed Al Balooshi, who is also a member of a special committee formed by the Higher Education Committee to look into these cases, said that Tamar's university has clearly not followed Ministry of Education regulations.

She insisted that students were required to have a Bahrain Government High School Diploma (Tawjihi) which is equivalent to an A-level or International Baccalaureate Diploma to begin an undergraduate programme. Alternately, students can take up an extra year foundation course in their university of choice.

Dr Muna said: "We have come to know of several similar cases from different private universities on the island. We have discussed the matter in the Higher Education Committee and we have formed a separate committee to look into the matter.

"We are planning to tackle this issue and see how this can be solved for these students. I can't give any solution now but I cannot endorse a qualification that does not meet the criterion. You need first to have a Tawjihi Diploma which is equivalent to an A-level. The university has clearly not followed the regulations of the Ministry of Education."

Tamar completed his O-levels with B and C grades in seven subjects - English language and literature, Arabic, religious studies, accounting, commerce and mathematics from Sacred Heart School in Isa Town in June 2006 and joined the Kingdom University in Zinj on a three-year course in Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking that he completed in 2009 with a GPA of 3.36 out of 4.

He then worked as an intern for three-months at the Arab Industry Company after completing his degree and recently worked for the Bahrain International Circuit as a temporary member of staff at its ticket sales counter.

Today, he holds a piece of paper from his university that states that he has successfully completed graduation requirements of his course but this is not accepted by employers as a valid proof of completing his degree course.

Tamar said: "This is not an original certificate ... it has been printed and stamped by the university but has not been approved by the Ministry of Education.

"I had an interview with a leading bank in Seef. They wanted to accept me but they needed a proper certificate.

"I have been visiting the Ministry of Education at Isa Town almost every single day trying to meet different officials to find a solution until I realised that nothing was happening.

"I finally called the bank and told them that I can't get my certificate and I am unable to do anything about it. They then offered me to train with them without a salary.

"Someone suggested that I should go back and do my A-levels. There is no way I am going to do that. I find it very insulting that having completing a bachelor's degree of three years and done everything asked of me and more I should be forced back for extra schooling ... especially when it is not my fault!"

"We are not people who have connections and who can get a job easily. I have to apply in the normal way, take my CV, prove my credentials at an interview and they might accept me if I have my proper certificates.

"If I cannot get my certificates I cannot take a masters degree and I cannot find a proper job ... I cannot do anything!"

Tamar lives with his parents who are employed at the Ministry of Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture and his three brothers.

Dr Muna has advised students and their parents to be more cautious when deciding upon further education.

Detailed quality reports are available on the website of Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training (QAAET) (https://en.qaa.bh), an independent national body that focuses on ensuring quality in education and training in the kingdom.

She added: "Everyone is welcome to clarify issues with the Ministry of Education. Guidelines on what qualifications have been endorsed and which institutions have been licensed can be checked with us. They can even find information on the universities abroad that have been accepted by the ministry."

The site states it has 'No Confidence' in The Kingdom University.