Makati business school ordered shut

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) has ordered the closure of a business school in Makati City for failing to comply with the standards.

In a notice issued late Tuesday afternoon, CHEd Chair Patricia Licuanan said the International Academy of Management and Economics (IAME) had committed “gross and serious violations and continuous defiance, and non-compliance by the institution of CHED Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSG).”

The CHEd notice served as a final closure order for all three courses offered at the school—Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master in Business Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Management—in effect shutting it down entirely .

Under CHEd’s order, IAME “can no longer admit any new students effective AY 2011-2012,” the current academic year.

The school may transfer its existing students to other schools with CHEd-accredited programs with the assistance of the commission’s Metro Manila regional office.

Licuanan said the order also “denied with finality” IAME’s appeal to an initial closure order last year.

The order also barred IAME from “offering any extension classes,” that is, tying up with other schools to offer courses.  The school “shall cause the cessation of any and all such extension classes, if any, existing and being operated by the institution or by any of its agents.”

CHEd said current students who complete their academic requirements may still be allowed to graduate.

“CHEd hereby issues this notice for the information and guidance of all concerned, to forewarn the general public about the status of business courses of the IAME in order to safeguard the welfare of enrolling students and their parents,” said CHEd.

Since last year, CHEd has been cracking down on schools offering sub-standard courses and shut down courses of poor quality, including six at Pampanga’s Harvardian College and marine transportation and marine engineering programs at the PMI Colleges in Manila and Quezon City.