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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
 Posted - 04 Jan 2011 : 20:47:14
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Seems not if this newspaper report is accurate, anyway it seems that the Daily News is far from dead,having recovered from their "problems" (whatever they were !, and with a good format too,well done them!
I think that the author Saikou Ceesay meant to write SCAM instead of Scheme in the heading 
http://dailynews.gm/africa/gambia/article/medical-university-due-here-could-be-a-scheme
Medical University Due Here Could Be a Scheme
africa » gambia
Monday, January 03, 2011
The American International University (AIU) West Africa reportedly set to start operation in The Gambia this month is widely believed to be rather a defunct diploma mill, Daily news reveals.
Pro-government Daily Observer newspaper on September 1, 2010 claims that the authorities of medical university decided to re-locate from troubled-Guinea to peaceful Gambia’.
The university reached an agreement with the government of The Gambia in October, 2010 following series of meetings and is due to start operation in January 2011 as it secured a complex along Kairaba Avenue – near the United States embassy, Daily Observer reported.
“American International University (AIU) West Africa is a private university, with campuses for School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmacy, located in the beautiful West African countries of Republic of The Gambia and Republic of Guinea,” Daily news quotes from University’s own website where it boasts of being the first university in Africa to provide, cost effective and world class medical program up doctorate level based on a curriculum modeled after major US medical schools.
However, our contact in Guinea confirmed that the school in Guinea Conakry is a diploma mill which had never actually taught any courses.
“The logical explanation of the entire thing was a scheme to swindle money out of prospective students whose families will pay the tuition for what is rather obviously not an accredited medical degree,” our contact said.
According to Sandra Sweeney, a Canadian-born ecologist and a lecturer in English Language, information contained in Daily observer seems more or less directly copied from the school’s own advertisement website.
Sandra Sweeney told Daily news that she gave-up an offer to become a senior lecturer in the so-called medical university after suspecting it to be a scheme to swindle money out of prospective students.
“Interestingly, all application fees are directed to the USA address yet the disclaimer at the end of the application form rightly points out that this school is not accredited by the state of Texas board,” Sandra said. “Information at the AIUWA website says that the WHO has been advised of the school’s opening. It has been established that the World Health Organisation has no right to grant accreditation to any medical school as the school portrayed on its website.
AIUWA is a clever ruse to hoodwink unsuspecting young people into either applying $75 non-refundable or to being accepted $18,000 for an education they cannot hope to receive.”
She said, “I discovered the university while searching for employment on (eslemployment.com) and answered to an advert for an English teacher for a pre-medical programme in The Gambia. I forwarded my CV and was quickly offered a position,” Sandra explained. “Having accepted the offer of employment I was forwarded a contract to sign. But the letterhead looks like a bad cut and paste job and the terminology in the contract brought to mind someone is trying to make a document sound more legal than it is.”
She went on, “The school opened a Facebook site where one of their claims: American International University West Africa has finalised the Faculty for the new campus at The Gambia. Professors with 20+ years teaching experience, along with hundreds of international publications will challenge the minds and broaden the vision of the new intakes for January 2011 Trimester which has not been established.
“While actually viewing the page, I was again contacted by Dinesh Shukla, the president, who wished to know if I could also teach the environmental sciences course offered in the first trimester. When I questioned him about what the curriculum of such a course would entail - especially considering that the course is for students of medicine - I was fed a lot of generalities about the concept of an international university.
“I was told that students need to understand environmental issues and that part of the role of the school was the evaluation of the country’s environment. Considering the implausibility of this task - in light of the five or six inappropriately qualified staff - is again laughable.
“I asked for more detail regarding the environmental sciences part of the course and when I failed to be distracted from my initial line of questioning Mr Shukla then quickly told me that I “shouldn’t be afraid”. What an incongruous reply. Should I be afraid? I wondered to myself. He told me that I was not to worry because the faculties were all intelligent people and that everything had been taken care of -- whatever that might mean. Every communication was kind of strange. It’s hard to explain but nothing seemed to sit right. And, I couldn’t figure out what my role was meant to be.”
Having read this last post from December 7, Sandra said she understands her role: “I am the “highly qualified staff. I believe that AIUWA is a scheme of some sort into which I unwittingly allowed myself to be drawn. I was momentarily angry at the deception. I had even turned down another position in order to accept this one.
“And, immediately, naturally enough, relieved to have figured-out what is surely a con before paying for the necessary jabs and airline ticket. Never mind that there is no staff for the actual medical programme. Presumably they were left behind in Conakry. Who is paying for this and what resources are being diverted from legitimate educational programmes so that what looks very much like a diploma mill can be opened for business?
Meanwhile, the school board member here in The Gambia, Amie Bensouda has expressed doubt over the credibility of the so-called medical university.
“I will revoke my nomination as a board member and publish it in all the newspapers,” the former president of The Gambia Bar association said.
Author: Saikou Ceesay
START HERE with the HOME page.
http://www.aiuwa.org/index.html
Here is The Contact page from their website:
http://www.aiuwa.org/contactus.html
Now have a look at their "staff" page (Opps  
http://www.aiuwa.org/staff-directory.html
Another well researched Gambian opportunity. 
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"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 04 Jan 2011 20:58:32 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11633 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2011 : 20:04:22
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Lawyer Bensouda Clarifies in Suspected Fake Medical University Saga
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
The Gambian legal representative of the American International University (AIU) West Africa suspected to be a scam has disputed certain remarks attributed to her in the story.
The Daily News’ story on the suspected fake medical university quoted the senior lawyer Amie Bensouda as saying “I will revoke my nomination as a board member and publish it in all the newspapers.”
Bensouda however clarified that she instead said her, “office will carry out its own investigation and if what he [our reporter] is saying is true, I would decline my nomination as a member of the proposed board of trustees, and publish same for general information.”
She added: “I also informed him that so far I had only acted as a lawyer in the process of establishing the University. This is the sum total of my conversation with your reporter. The statement attributed to me is therefore inaccurate.”
Meanwhile Daily News gathered that the American International University (AIU) West Africa reportedly set to start operation in The Gambia this month is a defunct diploma mill while boasting of being the first university in Africa to provide, cost effective and world class medical program up doctorate level based on a curriculum modeled after major US medical schools.
And an unnamed source at the U.S embassy in The Gambia said last year when he visited the state of Texas in U.S, he discovered that the university is a scam.
But Amie said, “I would also like you to note that the International American University The Gambia is still in the process of being set up and while I have been proposed for membership of the Board of trustees, the Board is yet to be established. Meanwhile, the promoters have leased and expended a substantial amount of money in renovating No.89 Kairaba Avenue, KSMD, The Gambia.”
Author: dailynews
Re: Medical University Due here could be a Scheme
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Please refer to your Newspaper article of Monday 3rd to 4th January 2011 with the caption “Medical University Due Here Could Be A Scheme.” I would like you to correct immediately the statement and quotation attributed to me by your reporter.
On Friday 31st December 2010, I was approached by one of your reporters Saikou Ceesay. He brought to my attention his investigation into the proposed International American University in the process of being established in The Gambia and his concerns that the University might be a diploma mill. He also showed me what appeared to be a printout from the internet indicating some of the statements set out in his report.
I thanked him for his information and told him that my office will carry out its own investigation and if what he is saying is true, I would decline my nomination as a member of the proposed board of trustees, and publish same for general information.
I also informed him that so far I had only acted as a lawyer in the process of establishing the University.
This is the sum total of my conversation with your reporter. The statement attributed to me is therefore inaccurate.
I would also like you to note that the International American University The Gambia is still in the process of being set up and while I have been proposed for membership of the Board of trustees, the Board is yet to be established. Meanwhile, the promoters have leased and expended a substantial amount of money in renovating No.89 Kairaba Avenue, KSMD, The Gambia.
Yours faithfully
Amie Bensouda & Co
Editor’s Note: We regret the error.
Source: Dailynews |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jan 2011 : 22:17:06
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WITH THIS INFORMATION IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN I DOUBT IF THEY WILL GET ANY STUDENTS,AND THE "DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY IN THE GAMBIA" HAS COST THIS "UNIVERSITY" A LOT OF MONEY,SHAME  TOP BROWNIE POINTS TO THE DAILY NEWS REPORTERS FOR AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF WORK. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 05 Jan 2011 22:20:05 |
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Momodou
Denmark
11633 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2011 : 15:03:52
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Suspected Fake Medical University President Denies Claims
By Saikou Ceesay
Friday, January 07, 2011
 The President of American International University (AIU) West Africa, Mr. Dinesh Shukla, yesterday dismissed assertions that the University is a diploma mill, stating that it’s an accredited institution for higher learning in The Gambia and Guinea.
He added: “There were no diplomas ever issued through Guinea Campus. How can that be a “diploma mill?” The reason the University was temporarily shut down was that immediately following the formal establishment of the University in Guinea, there was unrest in the country followed by strikes and riots. Our main concern was the safety of staff and students. It is just recently Guinea is returning back to stability”.
The Daily News on Monday 3 January splashed reports of its investigations about the legitimacy of the University, and an interview it had with Dr. Sandra Sweeney, a Canadian-born ecologist and a lecturer in English Language who turned down an offer of a position by the University to teach students in January 2011 in The Gambia.
“AIU is not accredited in the United States”, said Mr.Shukla, while noting that the mission of the University is to bring American standard of education,curriculum,way of teaching to students from all over Africa and make true professionals.
“We aspire to be truly an international University. We have received applicants (students) from 74 countries. The challenge is to teach such a diverse set of students and make them truly professional such that we all can be proud of. This is our vision and mission”, the president said.
However, Mr.Shukla who announced his trip to The Gambia in few weeks time has dodged questions electronically forwarded to him by The Daily News. “I shall be in The Gambia in next few weeks and I certainly would like to respond to any questions you may have at that time”, said Shukla.
Shukla said Dr. Sweeney was offered a position because they believed that she was qualified to teach students in The Gambia. He said Sweeney also signed the contract to join the faculty by January 2011.
According to the President of the suspected fake medical university, Dr. Sweeney informed them that she would not be joining the University in late December.
“While she may be qualified to teach, I do not think she is qualified to comment on our institution because she has no knowledge of the antecedents of the institution. Her suspecting this as an elaborate scheme is totally unfounded, presumptuous, unjust and unwarranted”, Shukla opined.
He acknowledged that the World Health Organisation (WHO) does not accredit any medical school, charging that WHO do require medical schools to provide information as stated on their website.
For Shukla they have been working very hard to recruit qualified professionals. He said the position was offered to Sweeney because she seemed qualified, adding that the promptness to offer her position reflects to the vision and mission of their institution.
“We received over 200 applications for employment and since Dr. Sweeney decided not to take the job (after executing the contract), we have been able to replace her position with another qualified professional”, said Shukla.
Mr. Shukla who is due to arrive in the country in few weeks time said Dr. Sweeney never raised the question that the “letter head of the University looked like a bad cut and paste. If she felt that the document was not legal then why did she execute it”, Shukla grilled.
He indicated that their decision to ask Dr.Sweeney to teach environmental science is just obvious and logical and had forwarded her the detailed curriculum.
The president warned: “She has never been to Africa and to portray her thinking for an institution being set up in Africa by your esteem paper should be considered more seriously before publishing”.
For Shukla students need to understand the environmental issues and hence the course. He went on say that it is the policy of their institution to utilize and mandate their faculty and staff to provide Pro Bono service to The Gambia in the field of their specialization.
“I did not ask Dr. Sweeney to evaluate the country’s environment. I asked her to provide her expertise to the governmental if required. Dr. Sweeney is definitely not qualified to comment on the qualification of other individuals or faculty where she has no knowledge”, Shukla said.
Shukla said: “we have received 466 applications for the January 2011 intake and we have selected only 25 candidates to start the founding class. Students, faculty and the administration define the identity of the establishment for its members and the community. In case of our institution, the community is the whole continent of Africa in particular and the world in general”.
He said the curriculum and teaching methodology is based on American system designed to help students meet the licensing requirements of any country. The school according to Shukla, follows the American curriculum, given the name: ‘American International University West Africa’.
He asked: “How can this venture be a negative story when our objectives are to provide sound education to students from all over Africa at a fraction of the cost in the field of medical education where the need is the most? What is needed is a little more encouragement?”.
To this end, Shukla expressed his ambition to have an opportunity to meet with, discuss and answer any questions The Daily News has upon his arrival.
Source: Daily News |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2011 : 18:59:00
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| I see lots and lots of excuses in the words of Mr. Dinesh Shukla,no sorry justifications for setting up "American International University West Africa’ I personally would like to know more about the background and work experience of Mr. Dinesh Shukla.I tried doing a search on the name but was very confused with the pages and pages that were available,anybody know anything about this man ? |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Prince
507 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jan 2011 : 22:46:26
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quote:
Originally posted by toubab1020
I see lots and lots of excuses in the words of Mr. Dinesh Shukla,no sorry justifications for setting up "American International University West Africa’ I personally would like to know more about the background and work experience of Mr. Dinesh Shukla.I tried doing a search on the name but was very confused with the pages and pages that were available,anybody know anything about this man ?
Thanks for the hawkish observation Toubab. This Dinesh fool is a fraud. He is into all sorts of shady businesses and operations.
He lied through his teeth when said that his curriculum and teaching methodology is based on the American system; American medical schools DO NOT accept new high school graduates directly into medical school. All American medical school applicants hold at least an undergraduate degree relevant to the sciences. There is no getting around that prerequisite...
And i sure know that they do not hire environmental science professors from an English as Second Language jobsites.
The practice of a few greedy pricks assuming that everyone in Africa is gullible... should be called out repeatedly.
If he were awarding degrees in philosophy or political science, no one would have bothered... but medical degrees is a whole other ball game.
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"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." |
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toubab1020
12306 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jan 2011 : 11:30:08
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| Prince, I am inclined to agree totally with your posting,it appears very obvious that Mr. Dinesh Shukla, is a person who has seen the gullability of Africans when it comes to obtaining education,for many Africans education is seen of a quick route to get them out of the economic hardship and boredom that so many suffer from ,this expoloitation is wrong and cannot be justified,especially when it relates to someones life.Mr. Dinesh Shukla, is a person who has been given ample opportunity to provide his qualifications and experience but has failed to do so,a person who appears totally unreliable,is that his real name ? who knows. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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