GREENHEART Medical University (GMU) President, Dr. Joshua Thambiraj, said Thursday he is willing to meet with Home Affairs Minister, Mr. Clement Rohee to clarify issues raised by former students of the institution.

Thambiraj was reacting to a report that, Rohee, at a forum Monday with dozens of ex-students from India and Nigeria, at Carifesta Sports Complex, on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, told them he will be meeting soon with the university administration.

Rohee suggested that the complainants delegate a group of five to represent them.

Thambiraj, in a release, charged that, when they met Rohee, the students made misleading statements and gave false information about GMU, an offshore Canadian university.

“…some former disgruntled students from the Personal Support Worker (PSW) programme at the GMU, which is now closed, lodged complaints and made false allegations against the GMU,” he claimed.

Dean and Vice-President of GMU, Dr. Jerry Meehan, who was at the discussion, had been asked by Rohee to respond to fraud accusations but he replied that he was there to address security matters only.

Rohee then asked Meehan to leave and the latter did so promptly, taking with him his secretary, Ms. Veronica Fung-a-Fat.

Thambiraj is claiming that Meehan was put on a spot because he was not aware of the purpose of the meeting with Rohee and GMU was not formally invited to it.

Thambiraj said Meehan attended just to ensure the safety of the Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) undergraduates.

Rohee said that complainants listed several other concerns prior to the meeting, including about problems with their contractual arrangements; unfulfilled promises and extension of their stay here and safety to move around freely.

But Thambiraj, who was not present at the forum with Rohee, said 30 M.D. undergraduates, who attend basic science classes, comprised the total number in attendance.

Those from India did not complain about the GMU and, after the discussion, they told Rohee they were satisfied with the quality of education the university delivers, Thambiraj stated.

However, this newspaper ascertained that one M.D. student from India did lament the failure of GMU to fulfill contractual promises.

Thambiraj said the majority of complaints were made by former PSWs who pose as current students but failed to keep their commitments and meet their financial obligations.

He said several meetings were held last year with various ministries in Guyana and the British High Commission to resolve those issues.

“All, except one, paid very little (fees) to the GMU, promising to pay their balances upon their arrival which they never did. Each student was given the option to return home within a month upon arrival in Guyana and get a refund of tuition fees paid. Several students returned home and were refunded their money,” Thambiraj said.

He added: “GMU has since closed the PSW programme, as of December, 2007, due to numerous problems encountered with these students and the fact that we recognised this programme was attracting bogus students from different parts of Africa and Punjab, India.”

Thambiraj disclosed that GMU has suffered major financial losses, due to those students whose sponsors ignored their financial obligations.

According to him, the school spent more than US$5,000 to provide accommodation and meals for stranded Nigerian students who were abandoned by their United States (U.S.) sponsors.

He maintained that GMU has made every effort to assist students with their welfare and will do its utmost to help graduates find employment.

Thambiraj said a graduate must obtain a visa or work permit from the government of the country where a job offer is made in order to secure employment.

He said that process usually begins after graduation but, unfortunately, no medical school can guarantee that a student will get a visa or work permit whether they graduate or not.

Thambiraj said those students who graduate from the PSW scheme must now obtain job offers and apply for their work permits, themselves and all foreign ones were apprised of this but the target group refuted that statement.

They said their contractual agreement stipulated that the university will arrange accommodation and, upon the successful completion of their studies, they will be attached to hospitals either in Canada, the U.S. or England.

One Nigerian said the initial information about GMU responsibilities had been posted on its website but has since been deleted.

To that Thambiraj responded: “Housing, food, transportation and health care are the responsibilities of the students as clearly stated in all printed materials. GMU does offer assistance to international students who request it, by finding safe and affordable housing within walking distance of our campus to meet students’ needs.

“However, GMU cannot be held responsible for those students who choose to leave and find their own accommodation.”

He said GMU currently has new management and remains an institution of higher learning, organised within the laws of Guyana.

It abides by the laws, rules and regulations as set out in the International Medical Education Directory (IMED), Thambiraj affirmed.

Meanwhile, Rohee told the disenchanted students that the Guyana Government is obligated to make sure foreign education institutions operating here comply with local laws and fulfill their contractual requirements.

He also promised those students whose stay here has expired, that measures will be put in place for them to have alternative identification apart from their passports.

Rohee advised, though, that extension of their stay and issuance of work permits are processes that takes time and encouraged those who are employed to submit letters from their employers to his ministry to verify their status.

He also requested those seeking employment to continue doing so but to ensure they are not exploited or end up having brushes with the law.