Dear Editor,
There were two recent anonymous letters appearing in the Guyana Chronicle newspaper attacking the Doctor in Business Administration degree that I obtained from the Robert Kennedy College (RKC) in Switzerland as well as the publication of my book, Improving Public Accountability: the Guyana Experience 1985 – 2007. I wish to offer the following clarifications in order to avoid the public being misled:
1. I was fortunate to obtain funding from the Inter-American Development Bank to pursue full-time studies to complete my ACCA at the London School of Accountancy. I was also the recipient of the prestigious British Government Chevening scholarship to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at the Strathclyde Graduate Business School in Scotland. I completed the final of the ACCA in six months and graduated in June 1986. My MBA was also completed in 12 months, and I graduated in November 1995.
2. I wanted to crown my career with a doctoral degree but not only age had caught up with me (I was in my mid-fifties) but also funding to undertake full-time studies would have posed a problem. In addition, I had my professional work as well as family commitments and could not have afforded to quit my job. Given my personal circumstances, I chose the next best alternative − distance learning. I chose a reputable institution that specialises in on-line programmes, especially in business administration. It is no secret that RKC’s Master in Business Administration is rated among the best on-line training in Europe. RKC’s advanced degree programmes are accredited from the York St John’s University and the University of Cumbria, both of which have their roots in the 1840s and 1822 respectively. At the time I was studying with RKC, the College was affiliated to the University of Wales, grades were revised and the various programmes became more rigorous.
3. I might add that even the most reputable universities are offering on-line programmes not only because of the rapid advances in information technology, but also to cater for professionals who are unable to leave their work to attend full-time institutions. The on-line courses are as rigorous as the on-campus courses. My daughter, who is about to complete her MBA at a reputable university in Florida has opted to undertake some courses that the university offers on-line rather than driving 50 miles away to attend a physical class.
4. In 2002, while I was in Africa, RKC was offering a Doctor of Business Administration degree. I enrolled in the programme, and there were about 10 of us from different parts of the world. It took me the next six years to finish the programme since I could only have done two courses at a time. I completed 12 courses, eight of which with ‘A’ grades while the remaining four were graded ‘B’. This is in addition to my dissertation. I recall in December 2008 while in Paris, I journeyed to Fernie-Voltaire, a town on the border of France and Switzerland, to defend my dissertation in the presence of three professors. I was not in possession of a Swiss visa, and the Professors were kind enough to arrange for the presentation of my dissertation and my defence of it in Ferne-Voltaire. Attached, please find scanned copies of my DBA certificate along with my transcript attesting to my degree award and grades in the various courses.
5. What I learnt in those six years, I could not have dreamed of learning if I were attending a full-time institution. This was because I needed time to reflect on and assimilate the various topics under discussion and to carry out thorough and comprehensive research. The on-line forum facilitated my mode of studying. It was a simulation of a classroom setting, the difference being that each participant was given equal and full opportunity to express his/her views. The Professor will post a topic in the forum and each of us, having done our research, would contribute to the on-line discussion. The cumulative effect of all of this is a through understanding of the topic under discussion. We also had regular assignments for each course for which we were graded, followed by a mid-term examination, then the final examination. I might add that because the on-line forum and access to campus facilities were available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, I devoted a greater portion of ten hours per day for six years to my studies.
6. As regards the publication of my book, I did not approach any traditional publisher because I felt that the book deals with the Guyana situation and is in effect the publication of my dissertation, with minor modifications. I do believe that traditional publishers would be more interested in something of an international flavour. Notwithstanding this, the contents of the book stood the test of academic rigour. I wanted to tell the true and unadulterated story about Guyana’s public accountability during the period 1985 to 2007, in the midst of attempts to distort what really happened. These attempts continue to this day. So, I paid for publishing my book, including professional editing.
7. I did not publish the book because of any monetary consideration. In fact, the proceeds of most of the books that I ordered from the publishers were donated to the J C Chandisingh Alumni and the Gandhi Youth Organisation Sports Club. Some were distributed free to those who have shown an interest in it. I might add that I have been encouraged to expand on the current edition and to update to present date. I am seriously considering doing so.
Yours faithfully,
Anand Goolsarran
