25 Jul 2013Hindustan Times (Bhopal)Jayanth.jacob @hindustantimes ‘Duped’ students threatened, bullied in Mauritius school Zoom Bookmark Share Print Translate THE STUDENTS ALLEGED THAT THE INSTITUTE HAD BEEN CHANGING NAMES TO ESCAPE PUBLIC SCRUTINY Jayanth Jacob Opted for tourism management but asked to pursue business management, offered an advanced course in food production but given lesser-known course, threatened when asked for a fee-refund — these are the complaints of about 50 Indian students in Mauritius. The students say they paid a hefty fee to Oceana International Business School, which also carries the name Isitech Business School, only to be duped. This private institute offers management and hospitality– related courses. Many of them have paid $7,360 (around R4 lakh). “I had opted for a level 2 course in food production and level 4 in travel and tourism. I was asked to join a low level course instead,” says Akhil Chalingal, a student. The students alleged that the institute has been changing names to escape public scrutiny. They blame the agents and institutions for their plight. S Raveendran, who runs a placement agency in Bangalore said the “institution didn’t honour the written agreements on giving the right course”. The Indian High Commission in Mauritius had received complaints from eight Indian students of the school in May 2013 and 16 complaints recently. “They complained that the Institute wasn’t authorised by the Mauritian Qualifications Authority ( MQA) to offer a course in food production and housekeeping. Following intervention, five students were refunded and the others (as per their choice instead of a refund) were accommodated in alternate courses,” said Vidisha Maitra, second secretary in the Indian mission. The ministry of foreign affairs of Mauritius, and the local educational authorities have been alerted. Despite repeated attempts, the institute did not reply to the accusations.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 03:18:44 +0000
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