Maldives Qualification Authority MQA has taken action against Avid College and Clique College for running courses illegally.
Action was taken against Clique College for running the program under the e-learning delivery modality without MQA permission.
The authority said in an announcement yesterday that it has given general permission to all higher education institutions in Maldives to conduct e-learning delivery modality or online. However, it said the announcement was canceled as the situation has returned to normal.
The Authority said that it had received complaints that Clique College was still conducting its 'Bachelor of Business Management' Course under the e-learning delivery modality but noted that it had given the college permission to perform the course as a face-to-face course back in 2019.
MQA said that the action taken against Clique College included;
- A penalty of MVR 10,000 for running a program without accreditation
- Halting these programs
- Withholding permission to issue certificates
- Making a Public announcement that the program is not under the National Qualifications Framework and contrary to program accreditation standards
In addition, the MQA has taken action against Avid College after receiving a large number of complaints about the college's programs. MQA said that the complaints include complaints to the MQA that lecturers have not been paid due salaries and students have been forced to pay more for the duration of the program due to non-marking of students' examination papers by some lecturers.
Avid College was ordered to correct its violations and program accreditation, denied accreditation and operating permits to another program and publicly declared that the program was not in accordance with the DQF, and violated program accreditation standards.
