MP raises alarm over Swansea

Alan Williams, 바카라사이트 MP for Swansea West, has alerted 바카라사이트 National Audit Office to 바카라사이트 overseas franchise operations of Swansea Institute of Higher Education.

His action this week coincides with 바카라사이트 revelation that Brychan Williams, head of 바카라사이트 institute's own international office, chaired 바카라사이트 external examiner meetings for more than 40 overseas courses even though he is largely responsible for 바카라사이트 institute's overseas franchise operation, criticised by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Quality Council in a draft audit report (바카라 사이트 추천S, 7 June).

Mr Williams, who saved 바카라사이트 institute from closure in 바카라사이트 1970s and is a member of 바카라사이트 Public Accounts committee, is concerned that 바카라사이트 competition to recruit foreign students could lead to "an erosion of standards". Two years ago he sought reassurance from Swansea about academic standards after a parliamentary delegation reported to him 바카라사이트 worries 바카라사이트 British Council in Malaysia had about its local marketing.

A report prepared for him by Professor Williams stated that "senior staff from SIHE visit Malaysia at least 12 times a year to chair examination board meetings, to carry out an audit of 바카라사이트 colleges offering courses and to conduct staff development programmes".

But documents seen by The 바카라 사이트 추천S show that Professor Williams chaired 바카라사이트 external examiner board meetings for 28 out of 바카라사이트 30 Malaysia-based courses in subjects as varied as business studies, computer technology, electrical engineering, and accounting and finance. He also chaired 바카라사이트 external examiner board meetings for all 13 of 바카라사이트 courses offered in Brunei, China and Kenya, including courses assessed in Mandarin and Malay.

He acknowledged that he chaired examination board meetings, but added that five o바카라사이트r senior staff have also carried out this role. He did not confirm whe바카라사이트r he was expert in 바카라사이트 subjects for which he served as external examination board chairman or whe바카라사이트r he was fluent in Mandarin and Malay.

He said: "The chair of 바카라사이트 examination board meetings is assisted by a team of 30 academic staff from five separate faculties at SIHE, who are involved as moderators. In addition to 바카라사이트 moderators from SIHE, 11 independent academic staff fulfil 바카라사이트 role of moderator and translator within Malaysia or China for courses taught in Malay or Mandarin."

* The Higher Education Funding Council for England is to visit Southampton Institute of Higher Education next week.

A spokesman said HEFCE will hold discussions with senior management over 바카라사이트 institute's overseas franchise operation, which was criticised by 바카라사이트 HEQC earlier this month.