PETITION SUBMITTED BY THE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT (STAGE II) DISTANCE STUDENTS TO THE UNIVERSITY OF LUSAKA MANAGEMENT OVER THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT (GBEPM 620) EXAMINATION PAPER HELD ON 18TH JUNE 2020

1st July 2020

PETITION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF LUSAKA MANAGEMENT TO REVIEW THE QUALITY MANAGEMENT (GBEPM 620) EXAM PAPER TAKEN ON THURSDAY 18TH JUNE 2020.

The above subject matter refers.

We the Distance Students pursuing Masters of Science in Project Management collectively and individually petition and call upon the University of Lusaka (UNILUS) Management to review the Quality Management (GBEPM 620) exam paper that was taken on Thursday 18th June 2020.

We believe that the Examination paper under consideration was prepared with the objective of testing the Student’s ability to analyse and evaluate real-life-like scenario as communicated by the lecturer as verbatim quoted below from the Moodle E -Learning platform: -

"I am sure you have heard by now that examinations will be Open -Book Take-Home type. In this regard, the questions will be testing students’ ability to Analyse and Evaluate as opposed to Knowledge Understanding and Application, as is normally the case for Closed-Book examinations. Continue your preparations with this in mind".

The University initially communicated that exams were to be written online and answer scripts were to be submitted within 24hrs after the portal was opened. In view of this, we believe the Lecturer prepared this examination paper considering the available analysis tools such as excel spreadsheet and time available to the student.

Using question 3 of the exam paper which carried 40% of the marks as a case in point, we have come to a unanimous conclusion as a class that the structure of this question alone would take an average to above-average student the whole 3 hours allocated to the entire examination or more. This is further considering that only a calculator and other course were at the student’s disposal, and 2 more questions had to be answered within the same time (3hrs) given.

We believe that the paper was not reviewed, or rather the lecturer had no time to review it after the university changed the mode of administering the examination from online to physical writing and the duration.

In view of the above, we the undersigned seek your consideration and follow up on our concerns, and possible remedial action thereafter will be highly appreciated. Find attached a copy of the examination paper for your reference.