DOHA: More than 350 students in Qatar enrolled for a distance education programme of a recognised Arab university have reportedly been hit by the closure of an education centre in Doha that was conducting the university’s examinations.
The centre was closed last year following a decision of the Supreme Education Council (SEC) banning all education centres in Qatar from providing university services, including distance learning programmes.
The SEC also issued a list of 21 institutions in Qatar permitted to offer university services.
Quoting some affected students, Al Sharq reported that they had been asked by their university to discontinue studies or find another centre in the region to take the exams.
The students include citizens and expatriates and many employed women.
“We took the exams at the Doha centre for three years. When we contacted the university, we were told that the centre has been closed by the Supreme Education Council,” said a student.
The students, especially the employed women, said it is difficult for them to go to the university campus or one of its affiliated centres in the region to take the exams.
They appealed to the SEC to look into the issue and allow them to take their exams in Qatar.
The SEC recently issued a warning against institutions claiming to offer university services, following rumours about the operation of such an entity in Qatar. The SEC clarified that it had not granted permission to any individual or commercial entity to provide university services in Qatar.
No centre is allowed to register students for a university course abroad or provide books, notes or other items or facilitate students to take exams, whether the study is by enrolment, or through distance or e-learning.
The SEC said any such action is contrary to Law No. 6 of 2000 on providing educational services in Qatar.
The Peninsula
