MHC’s international education gets failing grade in provincial audit

Alberta’s auditor general has released a report on the international education division at Medicine Hat College, determining that it operated outside of the college’s control system, without board oversight, putting MHC at “legal, reputational and financial risk.” The findings include: former president Ralph Weeks failed to comply with provisions of the college’s policy to limit international activity ($325,000 was spent on 34 international trips racked up over 3 years) and the board didn’t give proper oversight to these policies; the IED’s strategic and operational planning did not have clear goals, objectives or targets, nor did it develop business cases to assess any risks associated with operating in foreign countries (the division had 3 international partnerships with China); and the decisions made by the IED were inconsistent with the academic integrity and quality regulations of MHC (in one case, international students were found to have passed courses after failing exams). Officials at MHC are “disappointed,” but according to board chair Don Bruce, the board “accept[s] the report, and [is] unified with administration in addressing all the deficiencies in a collaborative manner.” MHC update | Medicine Hat News (1) | Medicine Hat News (2) | Calgary Herald | Auditor’s Report