New rules leave dentistry faculty students in quandary

Students told Khaleej Times that they were not informed about the new academic rules at the time of admission. "We only learnt about the new rule recently at the time of registration for the new semester," they said, adding, they were also unaware of the two academic warnings issued to them earlier.

"At the time of registration, we were given to sign an undertaking that this was the third and final warning issued to improve our AGPA. We could either change our major now or face expulsion if the required AGPA was not secured."

"After having spent two and three years in this major, how can the university expect us to change our major and start afresh with a new major. I have spent around Dh 48,000 for repeating my subjects twice already due to low AGPA. My friend has spent around Dh 90,500 over three years period and has no clue whether she will ever complete her dentistry programme," said a student on condition of anonymity.

She said that she has an AGPA of 1.99 and is still forced to repeat her subject. "Every subject has 12 credit hours, and we are required to pay around Dh750 for each credit hour. My parents cannot afford to pay so much money for my education."

Another student, who also received the final warning, expressed shock over the previous warnings that she never learnt of until recently. "When I enrolled myself in year 2000, no such rules were explained to us. If only, the university had informed us earlier about our initial warnings, I would have at least worked hard to improve my scores. But, now it’s too late and if I am unable to achieve the required minimum AGPA of 2, I shall be expelled, putting all my effort, time and money down the drain," said the student expressing anguish.

Meanwhile, a student with AGPA 1.95 also related with the problem. "I am still a second year student. Although, I should have been in my third year," she explained she had to repeat her subjects twice. "Now, I don't want to change my major. I just hope the new academic rules do not apply to old students and I also hope the university gives us a chance to complete our programmes."

Some students also complained that the dean and vice dean of dentistry were very rude. "They were also rude with our parents and refused to speak to them or discuss the issue. We are also not allowed to meet the AUST President Dr Saeed Salman and discuss and resolve the problem."

Dr Ahmed Ankit, AUST's Vice President, said he can only sympathise with the students.

"But, our rules are rigid and it is the decision of the AUST president not to make any exceptions in this case. It is, therefore, not in our hands to revoke the decision," Dr Ankit commented. He denied the academic rules were new.