Malaysia investigates franchise bribe claims

The Malaysian government is facing calls for a public inquiry into 바카라사이트 marketing practices of institutions keen to sell overseas franchise courses to 바카라사이트 country's students. The inquiry could have wide implications for British universities running such courses if, as seems likely, 바카라사이트 Malaysian authorities introduce more rigorous rules.

The calls have been prompted by 바카라사이트 methods used to sell University of Wales-approved courses franchised by 바카라사이트 Swansea Institute of Higher Education. There are also allegations that Malaysian ministry of education officials have received bribes of up to M$100,000 (Pounds 25,700) from local private colleges in return for permits to run British courses.

Kuala Lumpur Central MP Wee Choo Keong - backed by 바카라사이트 Malaysian ministry of education - is to call for a full investigation in parliament. He will also ask for 바카라사이트 inquiry to look at 바카라사이트 often-aggressive methods used to sell courses. The inquiry will serve as a warning to Malaysia's private sector and may hit overseas institutions.

The British Council confirmed that 바카라사이트 Malaysian government is "watching quality like a hawk" and warned that institutions with a slack record on standards would have "a big problem".

The Malaysian government is almost certain to give 바카라사이트 go-ahead to a public inquiry. It is anxious to safeguard academic standards in 바카라사이트 drive to become 바카라사이트 regional capital for international education provision and it is understood to be concerned that many British franchise courses have been sub-franchised overseas to low-ranking institutions.

Advisers close to Mr Wee, a lawyer and politician with a reputation for rooting out corruption, say that 바카라사이트 Malaysian government already possesses three statements from people who have confessed to paying bribes to government officials. The inquiry is likely to examine 바카라사이트 work of TL Management, 바카라사이트 Kuala Lumpur-based institution which runs courses with Swansea Institute.

The Malaysian inquiry will parallel 바카라사이트 joint Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and National Audit Office investigation that prompted 바카라사이트 resignation of Gerald Stockdale, principal of Swansea Institute, after revelations about 바카라사이트 lax academic standards of 바카라사이트 Malaysian courses.

The HEFCW-NAO investigation is exploring 바카라사이트 financing of 바카라사이트 institute's overseas franchise operation.

Swansea Institute announced that Alan Davies, assistant principal, will replace Professor Stockdale as principal.

Hywel Rees, vice principal, who was closely involved in 바카라사이트 overseas franchise operation, has been suspended on full pay until 바카라사이트 conclusion of 바카라사이트 inquiry.