‘Wasta’ ruins careers of many students

BANE OF CRONYISM: Many students are also denied entry into their choice of university.

JEDDAH: Wasta, or cronyism, plays havoc with the careers and lives of some 200,000 students a year, according to a recent report.
The report said cronyism is one of the major challenges male and female students face while enrolling for higher education. It affects them unfavorably in getting into specialty of their choice and may prevent them from enrolling in universities close to their residence.
Although the Ministry of Education has adopted a long-term and ambitious plan that considers higher education needs and pays more attention to methods of financing and electronic admissions, students still claim that such plans have not been applied on the ground for years.
According to some students, the electronic acceptance mechanism may as well be based on humans, as those who enter data are individuals with feelings and biases.
Imam and preacher Basheer Khabti Al-Dameeni says nepotism is acceptable only if it does not involve advancing one person at the expense of another, noting, however, that there is no harm if it is helping someone in need and does inflict harm on others or violate the system.
In the opinion of Azeb Al-Misbil, a member of the Committee for Islamic Affairs at the Shoura Council, wasta is only favored if one is helping another person without harming other people in the process, noting it is not permitted to help a relative or friend while jeopardizing the interests of others or taking something in return. He said most practices of wasta that can be observed today are bad forms of nepotism that can open doors to corruption while denying the rights of others, be it with regard to a job, a seat at a university, or other matters.
He said more attention should be paid to the issue and more done via social media and other means to encourage people to take caution.
The dean of admissions and registration at Al-Baha University, Ali Al-Zandi, said acceptance at the university is open and available to all, noting that a committee, chaired by the university director, monitors all registration up front to prevent any favoritism or human intervention.
Exemptions in admission is given only to children of those killed in the line of duty and social security beneficiaries, he said.