The Ukraine-based Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) today vehemently denied allegations which resulted in the de-recognition of its degrees beginning January 2006, five years after they were first recognised.

In its first official response following two weeks of intense debate, CSMU international affairs vice-chancellor Prof Biloglazov VA chided the Malaysian government for blaming the de-recognition on the university's alleged failure to respond to queries by the Malaysian Medical Council (MMC).

Yesterday, Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek said the university had lost its right to appeal by choosing to "remain silent all this while".

Declaring the decision as final, he reiterated concerns over CSMU's teaching quality especially the lack of proficiency in English medical jargon and hinted strongly at corruption being used to hide alleged rape of students and other threats.

Replying to Chua's remark about students' safety, Bilogalzov said the university administration has not received any information or complaint on such matters.

"(We) have received no such report of rape either from the Malaysian ambassador, local Malaysian authorities nor the student themselves," he said, stressing that every hostel had its own security system.

Appeal for re-instatement

The CSMU e-mail communique, which appealed for the re-instatement of recognition for the university, was copied to the MMC and the Prime Minister's Office.

In the appeal addressed to Chua, Biloglazov said the university had replied promptly to the MMC "via fax, e-mail or mail".

"(We) had cooperated well, replying to all their (MMC) inquisitive queries," he said in the e-mail, which reflect its dissatisfaction over the series of accusations and the aspersions cast over the university's reputation.

"So far, there are only 20 graduates from CSMU working in Malaysia. This is too small a number to be assessed on, regarding their quality and understanding of medical terminology."

He blamed students for having sub-standard English knowledge and reiterated CSMU's seriousness towards achieving European Union recognition.

"Who is to be blamed for poor use of English terminology? We are a medical school and not a language school for all international students.

"For the past two years, we have encouraged Malaysian students to carry out clinical training which last (between three and six weeks) in local hospitals in Malaysia and to be familiarised with local medical terms," said Biloglazov.

He also said that all Malaysian students were also enrolled according to the stipulated criteria based on the non-objection certificate issued by the Higher Education Ministry.

Taking issue with the MMC's lack of transparency, he said the council had not bothered to send CSMU an official letter before publicly announcing the de-recognition.

"Since going to the media on June 16, the university has yet to receive an official letter from the MMC regarding the status of the recognition.

"On what grounds do we stand for an appeal when we have not received such official documents?" asked Biloglazov.

Five visiting delegations

The letter also listed five delegations which had been to CSMU on specified dates over the years, including visits by Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar on Dec 18, 2002 and then Education Minister Musa Mohamad on July 16, 2003.

An Education Ministry delegation had also visited CSMU between Jan 5-7 last year, followed by Mara officials on July 21.

More recently on May 26, the Malaysian ambassador to Ukraine had dropped by CSMU - one of the oldest universities in Ukraine.

Biloglazov said none of them had indicated to CSMU of any guideline regarding the standards required by the MMC nor commented on the quality of education.

Foreigners graduating from CSMU, he said, are able to work in local hospitals within Ukraine upon completion of clinical ordinature/senior medical officer (approximately three years) under permanent residency regulations.

According to the letter, CSMU currently has "89 professors and doctors of science, 327 'candidates of science' and 804 staff out of which 453 has a scientific degree".

There are currently about 1,400 Malaysia students studying in CSMU, but they will not be affected by MMC's derecognition.