The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (UNMC) in Semenyih has denied allegations as well as knowledge of complaints about problems purportedly plaguing its prestigious MBA programme.

In an e-mail response to malaysiakini today, CEO and vice-president Prof Brian P Atkin said no MBA student has filed an official complaint and that complaints from students are taken seriously.

"I do not know of the complaint that you refer to and as far as our records are concerned, no official complaint has been received from an MBA student.

"There are clear and well documented procedures in place for students to officially voice their concern. Once a complaint has been lodged, the 'system' takes over and the full complaints procedure is implemented.

"In this case these procedures were not implemented because we have not received a complaint from a student."

Allegations have been made of an internal cover-up linked to renewal of accreditation of the MBA programme.

Former Business School faculty member Dr Geoffrey Williams said the administration had ignored evidence exposing poor management and delivery of the programme.

Williams, a financial economics lecturer seconded from Nottingham UK, submitted a 170-page complaint document to the Association of MBAs (AMBA) last year alleging, among others, a discrepancy in the marking scheme between Malaysia and the UK.

AMBA grants accreditation for MBA programmes worldwide.

'No breaches'

In his reply, Atkin said Williams' concern was "discussed at a full Examination Board both in Malaysia and in the UK".

"No breaches of normal procedures were found to have occurred," he said, firmly denying an alleged attempt to destroy evidence ahead of the AMBA assessment.
He also said the MBA programme has in fact been re-accredited following provisional accreditation awarded three years ago, as is normally done for new courses.

"Yes, (this was done in) December 2005 (but we are awaiting the final official report)."

Refuting doubts cast over the accreditation, required to be renewed every five years, he said the AMBA panel had given positive verbal feedback during last month's visit.

"I am pleased to be in a position to state that the accreditation panel's verbal feedback stressed that they could see no difference between the quality of the MBA offered here in Malaysia to that offered at Nottingham in the UK (the same panel had visited Nottingham for their accreditation visit a few weeks earlier)."

He also replied to the other allegations made.

Malaysiakini: What was the outcome of a visit by AMBA officials for an assessment of the MBA programme in early December?

Atkin: The details are not yet public/available as we have not received the final written report but from the information given during the informal feedback session at the end of the visit, the outcome was positive.

When and why is the AMBA team due for another visit?

The next accreditation visit will be in five years (2010); this is the most favourable decision the AMBA team could make.

What conditions has the AMBA set pending renewal of accreditation?

None.

I have been informed that faculty members were directed to destroy all evidence prior to the AMBA visit last month. Why was the directive issued?

This is not the case and no one was instructed to destroy official documents ahead of the AMBA visit; this is the first I have heard of this unfounded accusation.

What are the findings of the internal investigation which led Prof Alistair Bruce to dismiss allegations of discrepancy in the marking scheme, as made by faculty members and students?

As we have not received a complaint from students regarding discrepancy of marking, no formal investigation has taken place. However the concerns expressed by a member of staff were discussed at the full examination Board in Nottingham and found to be baseless. I have not been involved in any of these discussions as they were an internal Business School process.

How and to what extent will/has the alleged discrepancy in the marking scheme affect(ed) the overall grades of MBA students?

There was no discrepancy in marking and therefore no impact on the student's grades.

Is the Full Exam Board in the UK aware of the complaints, and what has it done about these?

All information regarding student's progress on the MBA programme is discussed fully at the full Examination Board in the UK. In this case the concerns expressed by a member of staff were considered by the Board which includes the External Examiner (see question above).

How much does MBA accreditation cost for the first time and upon renewal?

The AMBA Accreditation was arranged by the Business School in Nottingham and I have not been involved in the payment of any fee. In due course the Malaysia component of the AMBA accreditation will be passed on to me after which I will be in a position to answer this question.

What is the fee structure for the MBA programme at the UNMC?

This is available on our website.