University of Queensland forced to apologise over ‘white privilege’ medical assignment

The University of Queensland has been forced to apologise and scrap the results of a controversial “white privilege” medical assignment after students feared they could be expelled for failing. SEE THE EXAMPLE QUESTIONS

The University of Queensland has been forced to apologise and scrap the results of a controversial “white privilege” medical assignment after students feared they could be expelled for failing.

First year UQ medical students had been asked to write about their own “white privilege” and institutional racism in a two-part assignment.

The Sunday Mail understands when students received their grades last week the majority of the cohort received a fail mark.

One medical student told The Sunday Mail, on the condition of anonymity, they believed the ones who had passed had effectively lied about admitting to being racist.

“The people who did well have frankly lied, they played into the notion that they’re racist, even if they’re not,” they said.

Following backlash from the medical cohort, the prestigious university has been forced to apologise and remove the results of the assignment from end-of-year grades.

Prior to the decision, students had been concerned that the university was at liberty to expel them from the program if they failed.

The University of Queensland has been forced to apologise and scrap the results of its controversial “white privilege” medical assignment. Picture: Richard Walker

The medical student said that the passing grade on the assignment was required for an overall passing grade of the year.

The student said the cohort had feared that a fail on this subject could be the difference between getting an overall high distinction or a distinction which could impact postgraduate employment.

“UQ has a very good reputation internationally but students with all As in assignments are looked at better than B,” they said prior to UQ’s announcement.

“You could be the best doctor in the world but fail on this.”

A UQ spokeswoman said there was no suggestion that students could be expelled for failing the assignment as the university took a “whole of approach” to progression.

The spokeswoman did not respond to questions about how many students failed the exam.

A leaked email from UQ’s dean of medical school Professor Stuart Carney to students, seen by the Sunday Mail, confirmed the results of the assignment had been removed from the final component.

“We are updating the electronic course profile to reflect the removal of this assessment task,” it read.

“We have taken the decision to remove the results from this assignment from the final component.”

The UQ spokeswoman said the university acknowledged the students’ concerns and apologised for any distress caused.

“After listening to students feedback on the assignment, we have advised students that the results from this assignment will not contribute to their end-of-year grades,” the UQ spokeswoman said.

The medical student acknowledged that differences in culture was an important component to learn but said there was a more appropriate time and place.

“We understand that different cultures are important but this is taking it too far,” they said.

“It should be a skill that’s promoted, but not tested on.”

The UQ spokeswoman said learning and teaching about Indigenous health was embedded throughout its medical program as required by The Australian Medical Council accreditation standards.

“It is our responsibility to graduate well-rounded doctors who understand the challenges faced by our Indigenous and marginalised communities,” the spokeswoman said.

“The students will be provided with further opportunities to deepen their understanding of the important and sometimes challenging concepts the assignment addressed.”