International Students Academic Policies
Admission Policy:
ABHI is committed to follow a standard procedure for Application for Admission. The admission process usually includes an Entrance Examination if applicable, interview with the Admission Officer, Signing of Formal Enrolment Agreement forms and documents, and Student Loan Application Assistance. We always make sure that our applicant meets the admission requirements.
ABHI is responsible for providing students with accurate and updated information about the programs being offered to help them navigate and make decisions.
Student Attendance:
ABHI acknowledges the significance of punctuality and regular attendance of students to ensure excellent outcome of the program of their own choice. This includes lecture, laboratory and/or practicum set up.
Daily attendance is promptly checked by the respective instructors. Student absences are not taken lightly. It is the student responsibility to notify the office staff/ instructor as soon as possible. All registered students who miss more than two consecutive days of class, be it classroom set-up or laboratory and practicum, must be accompanied by a valid reason with proper documentation Acceptable reasons for excused absence(s) or tardiness are (medical, dental, illness family emergency and pre-arranged absence(s) approved by the instructor/ coordinator in advance. Failure to provide such documentation may result in the student’s expulsion from the program. In this juncture, it is in the instructor’s discretion to reconsider the student.
Students must promptly inform the ABHI Academic Coordinator/Director of any leave of absences or withdrawals in extenuating circumstances. Students are required to submit a signed leave of absence form to the instructor prior to the scheduled absence. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the designate office of any requests for withdrawal from the institute due to prolonged absences. Students should familiarize themselves with refund policies, deadlines, and financial obligations for tuition and other fees.
Absence Policy:
If a student incurred 3 to 5 consecutive days of absences, the student will be placed on Academic Probation and must provide documentation to explain the absences. This documentation is due the day the student returns to class and subject for review and approval.
Students who miss more than 30% of the program will be required to repeat the entire program. Repeated failures to attend scheduled classes may result in expulsion from the program. All Students are expected to make up for their absences.
A student who is on Academic probation is expected to complete the program requirements prior to graduation. Students under probation and missing another five (5) consecutive calendar days may be expelled from the program.
Students who miss 6 to 10 consecutive absences for a valid reason and provide adequate documentation, may be permitted to stay in the program, provided that a reasonable plan can be put in place to make up for the missed classes. This may include retaking the course and may depend on the availability of the course.
A student who misses 3-10 days of classes on a regular basis with valid reasons and documentation regardless of whether absences are consecutive or not, will be placed on Academic Probation. Students who miss class on a regular basis without valid reason and documentation may be expelled. Instructors are required and responsible to monitor and record student’s attendance. Any deficiencies should be reported to the Program Coordinator for proper action.
Valid reasons for absences may include but not limited to the following reasons. These occurrences maybe unpredictable but these are examples of absences that may happen which needs proper documentation:
§ Illness – a doctor’s note is required outlining the nature of the illness and the length of absences.
§ Family emergency – accident or death of a family member, birth of a child by the spouse/partner.
§ Recognized religious observance.
§ Family breakdown and/or homelessness – if a student is in an abusive relationship, a letter can be provided by the student attesting to this.
If a student will not be attending their class for some reason, they are required to sign a Leave of Absence form – this includes going on vacation and still planning to attend online meetings. Leave of Absence Request form can be obtained from the Admission office by requesting through email or phone. Once filled out, student is required to submit this form to their instructor for approval, then instructor to the Academic Director.
If a student informs the institute of absence for more than thirty (30) days, the student will be asked to withdraw from the program.
Student Expulsion Policy:
ABHI has the authority to expel a student after an inquiry following an investigation. A written report must be submitted personally before an investigation commences.
Academic Misconduct, Cheating, sabotage, deception, plagiarism, unapproved collaboration fabrication, theft or solicitation and intentionally attempting to assist co-student to commit any act of academic misconduct.
Procedure of Student Expulsion:
Prior to expulsion, depending on the severity and nature of the situation, ABHI may take intermediate steps at its discretion including:
Verbal warning- depending on the severity and student need to meet the Academic Director on a scheduled date and provide a resolution.
Written warning- depending on severity of the occurrence, or if a resolution is not forthcoming during the initial meeting, a written warning will be given to the student. This warning will become part of the student’s academic file. It will refer to any previous occurrences of the same behavior/incidents (where related)
Expulsion- based on the above conditions, a student may be expelled. A student who is subject to expulsion for any reason will be notified in writing, either hand delivered or by mail.
Notification of expulsion- will contain a description of the basis for expulsion and the effective date. Expelled students who dispute the facts of the expulsion must appeal the decision, in writing to the Academic Director within (2) business days of the date of the written notification of expulsion.
Cheating:
§ Cheating is grounds for academic penalty.
§ Cheating is considered but is not limited to: Having possession of another student’s exam, talking to fellow students during exam, unauthorized possession of an exam and its answers in physical or electronically, unauthorized use of phone and internet during exam, and viewing or recording of another student’s exam.
§ If a student is proven to have cheated, a grade of zero on the assignment or test will be given, and the student will also be at risk of suspension or expulsion from the program.
Harassment, Discrimination and Bullying:
§ Students are expected to be respectful to their instructors, co-students, and office staff.
§ Students who demonstrate outright disregard of these standards despite oral and written warning will be dealt with accordingly after pending investigation.
Misrepresentation of Personal Information:
§ Students who intentionally and knowingly misrepresent their personal information on their admission forms are subject to immediate expulsion.
Unpaid tuition and other fees:
§ Failure to pay the outstanding tuition and other fees after being given a written notice of non-payment of tuition fee maybe a ground for expulsion and/or legal proceedings.
Academic Performance:
Students need to pass the required grading system and will be given a chance for the retake of each course, but only on major exams, the midterms, and finals.
There will be no retake for quizzes.
Students must achieve a minimum of 70% grade on the retake exam. The maximum recorded final grade in a course in which the exam was written is 70%.
Students will be assessed after the first two weeks of remedial class by an instructor.
A student that has above 90% grades will be considered for Honour Roll for graduation, given that student has no record of any retake or rewrite exams.
ABHI Grading System:
|
Grade |
Scale |
Description |
|
A+ |
90-100 |
High Honours |
|
A |
85-89 |
Outstanding |
|
A- |
80-84 |
Very Satisfactory |
|
B+ |
75-79 |
Satisfactory |
|
B |
70-74 |
Passed |
|
B- |
65-69 |
Failed |
|
C+ |
0-64 |
Failed |
|
P |
|
Passed |
|
W |
|
Withdrawal |
|
INC |
|
Incomplete |
|
D |
|
Dropped |
Academic Challenges:
ABHI understands that academic challenges can arise, and we are committed to supporting the students to overcome them. Students who are assessed as low performers will be given an opportunity to improve their grades and continue with the program as long as students adhere to a planned program for academic improvement. The planned program for academic improvement will be tailored according to the student’s specific needs, which may include additional tutoring, study resources, and regular check-ins to monitor the student's progress.
Grade Appeal Resolution:
ABHI is committed to the success of our students. All efforts are made to ensure assessment criteria are fully explained and that students are given feedback by the instructors with regards to their grades. Students are permitted to appeal grades to the Academic department, after efforts of resolving the issue with the instructor(s) informally is not successful.
The following conditions are basis of a grade appeal for Final Grades only.
· The grading decision was made on some basis other than performance and other than as a penalty for academic misconduct.
· The grading decision was based upon standards unreasonably different from those applied to other students in the same program.
· This grading was based on standards which were changed substantially without prior notice to the student body.
· A formal appeal, clearly stating the grounds, may be submitted to the Academic department in writing, no later than 30 days after receipt of final grades.
· Written notice of the decision and the reasons for the decision will be sent to the student and the instructor(s) within 30 days of the formal appeal submission. The Academic department’s decision will be the final decision and any records pertaining to this appeal will be retained for one year for records purposes.