-

Dear Stan, AN article appeared in GulfWeekly last week highlighting the plight of a graduate student from the Kingdom University. The university has been compelled to reply to the article as some information in it is not correct and could affect the reputation of the institution.

The university admitted the particular student featured - Tamer Essam Mustafa - as he had successfully completed his O-level which is a secondary certificate.

He was given admission in August 2006 after he successfully passed the university's placement test. This was the practice of many universities in Bahrain at the time.

On July 31, 2008, the Higher Education Council (HEC) issued a circular (No. 160 from the Office of the Secretary General of the HEC) specifying the minimum educational qualification for university admission to be A-level.

With immediate effect, the university stopped the admission of any student with qualifications lower than A-level.

It is evident here that the issue concerning this particular student dates back before that time. There was no 'violation of rules' by the university, as the report claims.

It is reflected throughout the article, and specifically in the concluding paragraph, that the student's KU degree certificated is worthless and not recognised.

The particular student and many other students who have graduated from the KU have 'impressed at interview(s)' and at work.

This is not surprising as KU graduates have reflected a high level of performance and achievements in their careers.

The reported success of our graduate, Tamer, in his interview with a leading bank, is another testimony to this fact.

The university is open for views and feedback from students, parents and the public. The feedback we receive has been very positive and encouraging that there is a high demand for our graduates.

The KU offers B.Sc degrees in Business Management, Marketing Management, Finance and Accounting, Finance and Banking and Management Information System.

Of all these, only the B.Sc programme of Business Management has not received the confidence of the Quality Assurance Authority.

Meanwhile, the university's Finance and Accounting programme has been accredited by the London-based professional institution - the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA). The ACCA has accredited five of B.Sc - Finance and Accounting subjects for exemption.

Accreditation for exemption of this many subjects is the highest for any university in the kingdom - a standing testimony to the quality of education and training in the university.

The university is expecting accreditation for two more of its subjects and the hope is high.

The article states and concludes that the QAA has 'no confidence' in the Kingdom University. The complete reports should have been read. The truth is that the review by QAA concludes that: 'there is no confidence in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration', as quoted from the report itself. This is limited only to the Business Administration programme offered by the university and does not apply to the institution as a whole on any other programme in the College of Business Sciences and Finance or other colleges.

Dr Muna Al Balooshi stated in the article that a special committee has been formed to address this and similar issues. This is a clear indication the there is progress and clear direction in what the university and the HEC are engaged in.

And, in the end, the university expects that young graduates of Tamer's calibre will not be penalised in the process.

Amanulla M. Salih,

Public Relations Office,

The Kingdom University.

Editor's note: GulfWeekly endeavours to be fair and accurate and offered The Kingdom University the opportunity to participate in last week's news article. It declined and our detailed email correspondence went unanswered. We are happy to clarify the issue from the university's viewpoint.

Currently, Tamer says his degree has proved worthless, which is why a job offer, after an impressive interview, was withdrawn.

Dear Stan,

I WENT to see the movie Green Zone on Friday at 4.30pm with my husband and enjoyed it so much that I went again at 7pm with my son.

We are a mixed Saudi-American family and are both sensitive to and knowledgeable about the so called war in Iraq.

I was surprised by the comments Charlie Holding made in last week's GulfWeekly article about the war and the movie. I am still trying to make out what he meant when he said Green Zone still manages to end with a happy little lie that the audience just paid to see'.

What happy lie was that Charlie? All I saw was Roy Miller back with his squad of men in their Hummer riding out to the oilfields ... knowing in my mind that one or all of them would be killed or maimed for life, since as you say Charlie that we are all 'aware' of what happened then and is still happening now.

I went online to see what other movie reviewers had written about Green Zone. The average grade or rating for Green Zone was a B.

The famous movie critic Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun Times gave it an A and said 'looks at an American war in a way almost no Hollywood movie ever has'. However, it seems your Charlie Holding gave it an F, if even that! What does that say about him?

He freely admits at the beginning of the column that he has a 'profound dislike of Matt Damon' and again what does that say about him?

Maybe he should just review movies that have actors in it that he likes, but then what would be the point? Which is my point, why is he doing this column and what credentials does he have to be a movie critic?

If you tell me to not bother reading his column, that is what I will do in future anyway.

Eos, by email.

Editor's note: It's all about opinion, you can agree or disagree with Charlie's views but they are always honest and from the heart. As for his credentials as a film reviewer; he boasts a journalism degree, work experience in a cinema and is a movie nut, and that's good enough for me!

Dear Stan,

JUST wanted to say many thanks for covering the CHAOSS show.

We were really pleased with the article in GulfWeekly and the organisers have asked me to convey their thanks as well. We were particularly impressed with the main photograph and would like to thank your photographer, Jayson De Leon, for such a brilliant picture.

Debbie Payne, by email.

Dear Stan,

IT seems that the UK government intervenes in areas that don't affect them far too often and do little for the things that actually matter ... people, families. Adam should be with his mum.

Ruksana Kousar,

by email.

Dear Stan,

THIS is with regards to Alia Almoayed's recommendation to use porcelain or ceramic dishware for feeding infants in the GulfWeekly.

Porcelain and ceramic dishware may contain lead.

England, the US and Japan are countries that currently have regulations on production of such products.

One should check the bottom of products to find out where it is made.

Glass or pyrex is preferable unless there is painting or pictures where the dishware comes into contact with food.

Acidic foods are more likely to leach lead from dishware.

Lead test kits have been available at SACO in Saudi Arabia.

One could also go online for them. Compare with an item (such as crystal) that you know for sure has lead in it to make sure the test kit is working.

Also, having adequate calcium in the diet can lessen the absorption of lead.

There are many plastics that are hazardous to health and should not be used of food or drink storage.

Some have been proven to be carcinogenic, toxic, or to have an effect on hormones. It is also important to keep plastics away from light and heat, to prevent chemicals from the plastic getting into the food.

Water bottles should be purchased in or directly from the box.

Plastics should have their numbers on them. Those that are deemed safe for food storage are Nos 1,2,4, and 5.

When kids start feeding themselves, you need to weigh the risks of using glass against using something less breakable.

Already been there!

Sayed family,

by email.