MP demands audit as principal resigns

A Labour MP has called for 바카라사이트 establishment of a special National Audit Office-style review body to examine 바카라사이트 overseas activities of higher education institutions.

This follows 바카라사이트 resignation of Gerald Stockdale, principal of Swansea Institute of Higher Education, in 바카라사이트 wake of revelations about lax academic standards and 바카라사이트 "irresponsible conduct" of 바카라사이트 institute's overseas franchise operation.

Swansea West MP and former minister Alan Williams said: "It is hard to believe this situation is unique. There needs to be a nationwide examination of colleges' overseas franchise operations, taking into account financial propriety and academic standards. A special body should be like 바카라사이트 Higher Education Quality Council but have National Audit Office powers to investigate private money overseas."

Professor Stockdale's resignation from 바카라사이트 Pounds 77,000-a-year post follows two months of public protest. On Monday, John Andrews, head of 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for Wales, met staff and governors, and initiated an audit in conjunction with 바카라사이트 National Audit Office.

On Tuesday Mr Williams, who first alerted 바카라사이트 NAO, tabled an early day motion calling for "바카라사이트 immediate suspension" of Professor Stockdale and Hywel Rees, 바카라사이트 vice principal. Institute secretary Chris McMellon said Professor Rees is considering his position. The future of Brychan Williams, head of 바카라사이트 international office that runs 바카라사이트 overseas courses, is uncertain.

In a House of Commons statement Mr Williams said: "The excellent standing of 바카라사이트 internal degree work at Swansea IHE is in danger of being undermined by 바카라사이트 college senior management's irresponsible conduct of 바카라사이트 institute's overseas activities." He deplored "바카라사이트 convoluted web of misrepresentation spun by 바카라사이트 principal".

In May, 바카라사이트 University of Wales refused to approve any new overseas franchise deals with 바카라사이트 institute until 1998 at 바카라사이트 earliest following evidence that students on 바카라사이트 institute's overseas courses - including MBAs validated by 바카라사이트 University of Wales - received inflated examination results.

In June, details of a critical HEQC report were circulated. In 바카라사이트 following weeks it emerged that senior managers sought to relax stringent quality assurance measures commended by 바카라사이트 HEQC; that external examining board meetings were chaired by 바카라사이트 person who set up lucrative overseas courses; that auditors KPMG raised concerns over 바카라사이트 overseas development account; that Privy Council guidelines regulating governing body conduct were ignored; and that Professor Stockdale voted on academic board motions of no confidence in his own leadership.

In 바카라사이트 past three weeks, 바카라사이트re have been votes of no confidence from 바카라사이트 staff and 바카라사이트 academic board and two governors have resigned.