A Malaysian at the centre of Curtin University’s English competency test scam pleaded guilty to bribery charges today.

Keith Low Kok, who worked at the university’s English Language Centre, admitted in the Perth magistrate’s court, to 14 counts of bribery and one count of agreeing to obtain or seek a bribe as a public officer, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.

Low is the seventh of eight men to plead guilty to bribery charges.

Western Australia’s Corruption and Crime Commission charged the men over allegations that English test scores were falsified at Curtin University to help international students obtain visas and residency in Australia.

Applicants for permanent residency and work or student visas must prove their competence under the International English Language Testing System, which is relied upon by the Department of Immigration.

The offences are alleged to have occurred over a 12-month period from June 2009, the AAP report said.

The other men charged include alleged intermediaries and foreign students.

Rikenkumar Jentilal Vaishnani and Vishal Jitendrakumar Pandya pleaded guilty to their charges on Wednesday.

Abdul Kader, Vimal Vinodray Majithiya, Pritesh Chetan Shah and Hainder Jit pleaded guilty last month.

Kader and Shah each faced 14 charges of bribery, Pandya faced five charges, Vaishnani faced three charges, and Majithiya and Jit each faced two charges.

Navin Ramji Bhudiya, who faces three charges, appeared in court on Wednesday and had his case deferred until May 25.

Low will be sentenced in the Perth District Court on June 10.

- Bernama