Chinmay Naik takes Monash University to court over failed assignment
A MASTERS student is taking his university to the Supreme Court over a failed assignment about dogs, which was initially marked 12 out of 100 and described as too general and lacking in narrative.
Education
Don't miss out on the headlines from Education . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A MASTERS student is taking his university to the Supreme Court over a failed assignment about dogs.
Chinmay Naik even complained to former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, after his video asking pet owners about dogs was described as too general and lacking in narrative.
But the Oakleigh South man is adamant he deserved a pass.
VICTORIA’S LOW ATAR STUDENTS LET INTO UNI TEACHING COURSES
HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF UNI OPEN DAYS
Mr Naik told the Sunday Herald Sun: “I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“I’m not willing to accept I will fail.”
Mr Naik has claimed Monash University discriminated against him in its granting of a 19-day extension for a journalism assignment.
He provided a disability certificate for anxiety two weeks late but the university said it didn’t cover the correct period, asking he submit a new medical note three days before the extended deadline.
Mr Naik initially received 12 marks out of 100 for the assignment but got a slightly higher grade when it was marked a second time.
Mr Naik claimed the university acted “unlawfully” by not disclosing the identity or comments of the second marker — and he believed the same person graded the assignment twice.
He hopes a Supreme Court judge will overturn his fail, contending in court documents that he “was deserving of a minimum pass grade”.
He said his assignment was about negative stereotypes of dogs and featured interviews with people walking dogs at a park.
“They talked about the need for greyhounds to be adopted, pets to have access to public spaces and discrimination against guide dogs,” Mr Naik said.
The marker’s comments criticised the project for its “very general and unconnected questions surrounding dogs”. “No narrative structure, one shot of overlay, no expert interviews, no clear beginning/middle/end,” the notes state.
“For what is supposed to be the major assignment of the unit, this fails to meet any of the minimum criteria.”
WHY VICTORIAN STUDENTS ARE SKIPPING SCHOOL AT RECORD RATES
FACEBOOK ‘CAMPAIGN OF HARASSMENT’ OVER VCE PRACTICE EXAMS
A Monash University spokesman said it was “committed to ensuring all students could access appropriate support to successfully complete their courses”.
“The university strenuously denies the claims made by this individual and will defend its position,” the spokesman said.
“Monash maintains that it has acted appropriately and that its academic policies and procedures have been followed.”
Mr Turnbull rejected Mr Naik’s request for help, as did the Ombudsman, Information Commissioner and Australian Human Rights Commission.
Mr Naik has secured hearings in the Supreme Court and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal this month.
Which unis give you best odds of finding a job?
Nine out of 10 graduates from Victorian universities are working full-time three years after finishing their studies. See which are the top-ranked institutions for higher education in Victoria.
Your guide to schools around Dandenong
As more people move to Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, the need for secondary schools in the area grows. Here’s a comprehensive guide of each school you can send your child to, including the VCE scores, subjects and public transport options.