Unfairness by IMM Graduate School
A number of students like to describe the IMM Graduate School as an institution that is not for the weak. I myself can attest to this as in the last 2 years I have faced several issues with this institution where they act unfairly and *******ly as whenever I have had an issue they often use their policies to their own advantage and as a shield for them even if it means that they do not conduct their behaviour in a legal and fair manner.
My most recent negative experience with IMM Graduate School occurred in November–December 2025, particularly with Marissa Kidson and Dwayne Oosthuizen, both of whom work within the assessment department, with Dwayne serving as Head of the Assessment Processes Office of the Registrar.
In Semester 2 of 2025, I had one module (Transport & Logistics 3) where the examination was split into two parts, Part A and Part B. Part A was the written component, for which we had 24 hours to complete and submit before moving on to Part B, the oral examination. Unfortunately, I experienced technical difficulties when attempting to submit Part A and was unable to do so on time.
Immediately after this occurred, I emailed the department and was advised to apply for an academic concession, which I did. I submitted my application together with evidence of the technical difficulties and a detailed report from a qualified technician, requesting the opportunity to resubmit Part A. Despite this, my application was effectively declined, with no clear reason provided. Marissa mentioned they would review my application after results were released but indicated they would only consider my oral exam (Part B).
Upon release of results, I had passed all other modules except this one, falling short by only 3 marks. If I had been allowed to resubmit Part A, I would have successfully completed my Bachelor’s degree. I sent Marissa a detailed and motivational letter requesting the opportunity to resubmit Part A, but this was again declined. Instead, I was registered for a special examination, which I had not requested.
Since then, I have repeatedly asked for a detailed explanation as to why my academic concession was declined. To date, I have received no substantive response. Marissa referred my case to Dwayne, and even he could not provide a proper answer. Instead, he repeatedly stated that I had been registered for a special examination, implying it was the only option available and dismissing my request for a resubmission.
I find this outcome unfair. Other students have been granted the opportunity to resubmit parts of their examinations under similar circumstances, yet I am the only student required to write a full special exam, which comes at an additional cost of R520. The only discernible difference appears to be that I am a person of colour, which raises serious concerns about consistency and fairness.
This situation is particularly frustrating because I have faced technical difficulties in the past (2024) and followed the exact same process applying for a concession with evidence and a technician’s report and was granted an extension to resubmit work. I explicitly raised this precedent with Dwayne, asking why my current application was being treated differently, but he refused to address it.
Furthermore, Dwayne admitted in an email that while they could grant my concession, they chose not to, citing that I had already been granted the Dean’s assessment. This is factually incorrect a Dean’s assessment, which allows a capped mark on a supplementary exam, is not equivalent to granting a concession for a missed submission. Treating these two remedies as the same shows a concerning lack of understanding of the academic process, particularly from someone in his position.
As a student who has consistently followed procedures, provided evidence, and maintained academic integrity, I find the behaviour of IMM’s assessment department deeply concerning, unprofessional, and procedurally unfair. The refusal to provide a proper explanation or remedy, coupled with inconsistent treatment, has caused significant stress and has unnecessarily jeopardised my academic progress.
IMM Graduate School prides itself on professionalism and academic standards, but in this case, my experience demonstrates a failure to apply policy fairly and transparently. I hope this review encourages the institution to reconsider how it handles academic concessions and ensures all students are treated consistently and fairly, regardless of background.
