An irate parent has accused Segi College of several shortcomings, including rescheduling the final examination for a subject without prior notice. The college has denied the claims.

The parent, who wrote to malaysiakini last week, has a daughter enrolled in the American Degree Programme (ADP). The college has six campuses nationwide, with the main one in Kota Damansara, Selangor.

In the letter, the parent claimed that the final examination for the Mathematics paper was changed without any prior notice last December.

"While one batch of students managed to sit for the paper, the rest missed it. However, they were allowed to sit for the paper at a later time, but were given the same set of questions," reads the letter.

He claimed that, when he went to the ADP department to complain, there were no lecturers. Later, his daughter told him that the lecturers were hiding to avoid confrontation.

"The higher education ministry must at least revoke the licence (of the college)," he added, without revealing details of his daughter's campus for fear of retribution.

Segi College Subang Jaya acting principal Dr Lisa Tan said parents could talk to officials as the college accepts feedback and criticism.

(This campus hosts the corporate communications section of the college and responded to malaysiakini in this capacity.)

ADP department head Dr Chin Kwet Hon said he was not aware of any rescheduled examination.

"If at all the incident happened, it was not brought to my attention. My department is very open, students have my hand phone number, office number as well as my house number," he asked.

"Why didn't the student complain directly to me? Why did the parent wait almost six months before he expressed dissatisfaction?"

Status verified

Tan responded to another complaint - that the college offers poor quality of education.

"The University of Sunderland, University of Sheffield, and Upper Iowa University validate Segi College before entering into partnership with the college," she said.

"These colleges are among the top universities in the world, and they (the universities) will not agree to be out partner universities if it is true that our quality of education is poor."

As for the claim that there is a high rate of truancy among students, deputy principal Helena Tan said the college makes attendance its top priority.

"Foreign students are reminded that 85 percent attendance is required for them to renew their student visa. We send letters to parents of local students who play truant more than three times."

On the allegation that students threaten lecturers, she said: "They may yell 'watch out' at the spur of the moment when they are angry, but that's all."