Foreign students’ dreams go bust

They allege college authorities tricked them into enrolling even though it was not government certified

Foreign students' dreams go bust

They allege college authorities tricked them into enrolling even though it was not government certified

After spending years in a war zone, Iraqi students who came to Bangalore for education, have spent the last few months wondering if the college they enrolled in would ever get a Bangalore University certification.

Students who enrolled for the first semester of MSc at Bangalore City College in Banaswadi were shocked when they were told that the government has not certified their college yet.

Class apart: Students allege that teachers rarely show up on time and
classes aren't conducted as per schedule. Bindiya Carmeline Thomas

Eleven from 25 students are from Iraq and Nigeria, while the rest are Indian. The foreign students allege that the college management tricked them into applying, promising them that the college already had the certification.

Mohanad Assim (23), one of the students, said, "They tricked us saying it was a Bangalore University college. It was only after we had paid them the fee, they told us that it was not certified and that it will take some more time."

The students also allege that teachers rarely showed up on time and classes never went on as per schedule.
The college, which has it's exams starting Friday, announced to students on Wednesday that it has finally been accredited, leaving students in a state of confusion.

Another student from Iraq, said, "I have wasted the last six months here. They won't even refund my Rs 3,500. I have no choice but to go back home now."

Prasad Rao, director, Bangalore City College, said, "There's no problem at all. Everything is going smoothly. The students were informed as soon as we got the government order. If they want to leave, they are welcome to."

Bangalore University VC, N Prabhudev, said, "We have given them affiliation only because of the students. We had to take that into consideration. The problem is with the management and never with the teachers."