The fate of around 400 students from the state hangs in balance, as the Herguan University in the US sacked its CEO Jerry Wang on Saturday. Mr Wang has been charged with visa fraud, bringing back memories of the Tri-Valley immigration fiasco of 2010. Parents are tensed over the future of their wards, saying that they have spent over Rs 25 lakh for obtaining admissions and visas from consultancies.
They said that local consultants had lured them with job permits while studying and in some cases even assured that the students could work anywhere in the US if they went to Herguan University, and that there was no need to attend classes regularly. They said that university officials would take care of everything in case any problems arose in the future.
Believing the claims, the parents had admitted their wards in the varsity knowing well that it was a “private university” and had no official accreditation. “The local agents said just Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000 was required to begin admission process in Herguan University. Besides promising job permits, they said the process would not be finished in 30 days. They asked us to pay the entire amount of Rs 25 lakh only after the process was over,” said a parent.
Meanwhile, the university posted on its website that the charges against Mr Wang had not affected the varsity, and that he had resigned from his post. The university “is open and conducting classes as usual. Government charges against the designated school official, who has resigned, regarding immigration issues, have not affected the university. Students will find classes scheduled as usual,” it said. It has appointed Doreen Simmons as interim chief operating officer.