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Students object to exam fee

DUBAI — Students of MAHE-Manipal, Dubai, have alleged that the institution is charging them an additional examination fee per semester, which had not been indicated in the entrance prospectus.

Khaleej Times has learned that the students had filed a petition against the fee addition of Dh250 per semester. The MAHE-Manipal authorities, however, opted to ignore the petition.

"This is the first time that any such fee is being charged by the institution, and my objection is that this would set a precedent," said the parent of a student, who did not wish to be named.

The students also protested against the implementation of the fee, which they said was an unfair addition. But this time, too, the administration sought to remain aloof.

Dr B. Ramjee, Director of MAHE-Manipal, Dubai Knowledge Village, said: "This decision was taken by the Board of Regions on April 3 and the fee has been clearly mentioned in the student’s handbook for 2005-2006 but not in the prospectus."

The institution issued reminders to the students last month on the end-semester examinations for fall semester 2005 that would commence from December 21 and asked the students to register by October 6. "An examination fee of Dh250 has to be paid at the time of the registration. This fee entitles you to appear in all the courses you have taken for the first time during the semester," read the reminder.

It also said that students who were repeating a particular course would have to pay Dh50 more, and that for supplementary exams an fee of Dh250 would be charged for each course. A failure to register on time would entail a penalty of Dh100.

"When such a situation arises, the students are in a fix. I have fixed a certain budget for my child’s education, and any changes in the fee without notice would upset my calculations," said another parent.

Dr Ramjee said that though this was an internal matter, it could be said that the institution had always tried to bear all the costs despite general increases. "We have not increased any expenses in the past five years. Rents increased by 28 per cent, but we have not charged the students extra as hostel fee. Likewise, we have absorbed the increase in petrol prices as well, and have not increased the transport fee," he said.