We are not obligated to get MOC recognition, says Twintech

The vice-chancellor of the International University College of Technology Twintech (Twintech) Zulkiply Omar today refuted the claim of 157 optometry students that they were cheated. He said that getting the Malaysian Optical Council (MOC)’s recognition for the course is not their obligation.

Zulkiply said MOC recognition is a separate accreditation that deviates from government requirements.

“We only need to comply with the guidelines of the Malaysian Qualification Agency (MQA).”

A group of undergraduates of the bachelor of optometry course called for a press conference on Tuesday. They claimed the school has been concealing the fact that the course is neither recognized by the MOC nor the Scottish Glasgow Caledonian University.

Zulkiply said the group is capitalising on their grievances as that is the case with all students.

“They are just a group… they haven’t even registered (for the new semester). Our registered students are generally happy with what we do now.

“They might have their own agenda,” he claimed.

He said the increase in tuition fees was due to the students being ‘undercharged’ in the first place.

He meanwhile said they are doing “their level best” to hire new lecturers and maintain the quality.

MQA to follow suit in dropping accreditation?

However, Zulkipy’s efforts might be undermined as MQA seems to be on the verge of disqualifying the program.

An officer of the science and medicine accreditation department said she had been told to draft a letter to withdraw the program’s accreditation.

“If the letter is issued, Twintech will have to file a new application to get back its accreditation,” she said, saying that Twintech could not run the course without it.

Deputy CEO of MQA Zita Mohd Fahmi, when contacted, said revoking the accreditation is just one of the possible outcomes.

“We are still waiting for the college assessment to be finished.

“W will produce an assessment report on the course in six weeks time,”she said.

According to Zita, the report will reflect the college’s overall quality, systems, the conducting of the course and facilities.

“We also need to undertake the necessary steps if we are to deregister them.”