UoB revokes decision to expel 160 students

Manama : The University of Bahrain (UoB) has revoked the decision to expel 160 underperforming first-year students who did not meet the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 1, DT News has learnt.

The decision followed an appeal by the students who faced expulsion. They will be allowed to re-register.

“This is the first and last time the expelled students will be given a chance to re-register,’’ the academics programmes and graduate studies vice president, Dr Waheeb Alnaser told DT News. The students, who could not meet their first semester GPA requirement, were earlier given a five-day window to appeal. 

The university rule to penalise underperforming students was announced last year, making it applicable for those who enrolled in 2017. As per the rules, those with a GPA below 2 would be slapped with two warnings before expulsion. Earlier, claims on social media platforms said around 400 students were expelled for not meeting the GPA criteria. The University responded by saying that the figure was exaggerated.

A committee was also formed to look into the claims and those with valid grievances were given a chance to appeal. Following the university decision, 160 students appealed.  

“All students with a valid reason were given a chance to re-register. They were advised to repeat the courses studied in the first semester,” Dr Waheeb Alnaser told DT News. The students who are now back will be under a probation programme similar to the one for students who could not achieve the required cumulative GPA of 2 and above, he added.

To help the 160 students to integrate into the system, the university has also introduced a new programme. “An academic and social coaching session has been formed by the Student Affairs, effective from today,’’ said Dr Waheeb Alnaser. “The University is a place to study, learn and work hard, not relax,’’ he said adding that the decision will “set an example for other students.’’

Some expelled students, mainly from Saudi Arabia and Jordan, attributed their dismal performance to an unfamiliar coeducational environment.

Dr Waheeb Alnaser said students should take education seriously. “Students must work hard,” he said.