An indefinite sit-in by international students, mostly of Punjabi origin, outside Algoma University in the Canadian city of Brampton entered its fourth day on Sunday. Students claim an information technology professor failed more than 130 international students in what they say is part of a scheme to make money in re-exam fees.
The Montreal Young Students’ Organization (MYSO) and many social activists supported the students demonstrating in the freezing cold.
“On Saturday and Sunday, students and MYSO members held protest marches in downtown Brampton to build public support. The students have also sent emails to the Ministry of Education Canada regarding this,” Mandeep, organizer of MYSO, told The Indian Express. “On Monday, a one-day protest march will take place in Brampton and we are calling on like-minded groups to join the students’ struggle.
Balli Singh, a member of the university’s students committee, said, “The annual grading system needs changes and the university must consider our demand. We want a transparent document verification system and students should not have to pay extra fees to re-appear for an exam.”
Praveen Gill, another member of the students’ committee, said, “Strict action must be taken against the professor who played with the future of so many students, especially from international backgrounds.” »
Manpreet Kaur Longowal, a volunteer from MYSO, said, “There are 10 subjects in the final course in computer science. It is surprising that the students passed all nine subjects with good grades. They even passed the practical test of the System Analyst Techniques test but failed the theoretical exam, which is very surprising. A thorough investigation must be conducted into this matter.
Meanwhile, the university said an investigation was underway. “We contacted each student protesting a specific instructor’s grades. Taking their concerns seriously, the dean of the faculty of science is conducting an urgent investigation. We recognize the stress these students face. “We value academic integrity and the science faculty steps in to ensure fair assessments for every student,” he said in a statement.
Khushpal Grewal, another MYSO volunteer, said, “After the struggle of Algoma University students, we learned that in many Ontario colleges as well, students are facing similar issues. They have already failed a subject, which is why they cannot be admitted to the next semester until they have completed the failed subject. That’s a charge of $3,000 or more. We discovered this was part of a conspiracy by colleges to take money from international students who were already paying four times as much in tuition fees as Canadian students.
Mandeep said letters had been sent to members of the Canadian Parliament demanding justice for the students and a thorough investigation.
Harinder Mehrok, another MYSO volunteer, said: “International students already contribute $30 billion per year to Canada’s GDP. Many colleges and universities survive solely on international students. Elected representatives must also take into account the interests of international students and provide justice.
Rajpal Kaur, a member of the university’s students’ committee, called for a permanent solution to these problems.
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