It has been discovered that AKFA University is not refunding the tuition fees paid by students admitted to a program that was closed due to the lack of a license. The Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights reported this.
According to analyses of these appeals, on January 10, 2022, various media outlets posted advertisements about the start of admissions for the 2022/2023 academic year at AKFA University, and the advertisements stated that documents were being accepted from applicants, including for the "Commercial Law" education program.
Despite the fact that the "Commercial Law" program was not authorized in the license given to the university to provide non-state higher education services, students were admitted for the 2022/2023 academic year to study in this field, and a public offer contract was signed for 4 years (8 semesters) of study. Students paid contract fees ranging from 12.5 million to 25.0 million sum (based on 7 appeals received by the Committee, the total recalculated amount is 167,500,000.0 sum).
After a period of study, in August 2023, students were informed that the "Commercial Law" program was not licensed for teaching, and were offered to continue the next 2023/2024 academic year in a temporary hybrid format or switch to an International Business education program. Most students declined this offer, and some agreed to switch to a different program.
However, as of today, the University has not refunded the fees collected for services not provided.
The Committee has initiated a case against "Central Asian University" LLC based on violations of the Law on "Protection of Consumer Rights" articles 4 (safety of the service, full compensation for material damage caused by the contractor's unlawful action), 7 (non-compensation for damage caused by false advertising), 12 (provision of service in accordance with other applicable regulations and rules), 19 (failure to fulfill contract terms), and 21 (inclusion of terms limiting consumer rights in the contract, charging for services not provided), according to the regulations approved by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers by the Committee's Special Commission, involving the complainants.
"Central Asian University" LLC was found in violation of the Law on "Protection of Consumer Rights" articles 4, 7, 12, 19, and 21, and was instructed to rectify the violations and prevent them in the future, to recalculate the total amount of 167,500,000 sum for 7 student citizens for services not provided, and also to conduct similar recalculations based on other citizens' appeals.
