JEDDAH – A number of students at the Science & Technology College in Jeddah told Al-Madinah Arabic daily that they had wasted three years of their lives studying at the college which was shut down by Ministry of Higher Education over the weekend. The students said it was unlikely that their credits would be transferred to other colleges nor would the concerned authorities recognize their diplomas. Waseem Badra, a student at the college, said he would probably have to start his college studies again and doubted rumors that authorities may recognize students' diplomas. Citing the example of another college in the city that was shut down a few years ago, Badra said: “Despite promises, those students were never able to get their diplomas recognized and they had to start their studies all over again. The same fate awaits us.” Hundreds of students gathered at the college over the weekend demanding clarification on a statement published on the college's official Facebook page saying it had been closed by the Ministry of Higher Education. Muhammad Al-Haizan, official spokesman of the Ministry of Higher Education, said that the college had not completed licensing procedures before starting classes. “Until now, the Ministry of Higher Education has not given it permission to enroll students and start classes. Hence, the closure order,” he said. Students were shocked by the abrupt closure and asked why the ministry shut down the college after allowing it to operate for nearly three years. Jalal Juhaidalah, a third-year student, said inspectors from the Ministry of Higher Education visited the college and met with students on several occasions. “Why did the ministry decide to shut it down now?” The college's owner, Abdul Ilah Hizam, assured students that the Ministry of Higher Education would intervene to resolve their problems. He said he had met with the supervisor of private education at the ministry and got assurances that the ministry would grant all Saudi students scholarships to complete their education at other colleges. Hizam said the college opends its doors three years ago with a provisional license and added he was surprised by the ministry's stop order. Students appealed to King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Khalid Al-Anqari, Minister of Higher Education, to intervene as the college enjoys a good reputation and offers specializations that are not available in other private colleges in Jeddah. — SG
