It was marketed as a US medical school in Belize, but tonight, American Northwest University School of Medicine is at the center of a growing controversy. And, tonight students who've invested time and money into the program, aren't sure if the school will continue to operate.
Our newsroom has obtained exclusive audio recordings, spoken to affected students, and gotten an interview with the Minister of Education. Jaleeza Roberts has the story:
With widespread uncertainty about their educational future, this is the ominous voice message that the students of American Northwest University received a few weeks ago:
Voice of: Dr. Shah Helmond, Director - American Northwest University
"Good morning students, this is Dr. Shah. Please, if any news agency or anybody reaches you, I don't know, you guys have no idea, I don't have nothing, the situation, if you have no proof or anything, you are not allowed to put me in the legal battle or the school and you are all certification, whatever you own will be invalid. Once the name of the school gets bad, people will, rest of your life, say that school, that certification, whatever you own, is from a bad school. Unfortunately, if you don't have anything to do, you're not going to open your mouth. You want to put me first in danger, in trouble, and my name will be all over. Then, I am the one who was trying to find a way for you guys, right? Understand? So, please do not News agencies try to say a student approached me or somebody like that gonna be sued big time and I'll be the first person in the front. My name comes on everything. It's very dangerous. It's not nice. Okay, if you don't know anything, please do not talk about it. Okay. Thank you very much."
And what they don't know is if their education and the money it cost have gone to waste. Belizean students enrolled at the Belmopan-based American Northwest University School of Medicine have not returned to classes this semester, not because of a scheduled break, but because the future of the institution itself appears uncertain.
The concern intensified after Dean Dr. Mohammad Khamis was charged in the U.S. state of Illinois with more than one million dollars in Medicaid and Medicare fraud. Since then school operations have been put on a very uncertain pause- the culmination of a troubling pattern. One student - who asked to remain anonymous - spoke to us via phone and asked that we distort her voice:
Voice of: Anonymous
"Yes, there are multiple occasions we question the credibility and every time the director would come in and assure us that nothing is wrong. Just before school was closed when all the students were aware that the staff was not getting paid."
"Our students were worried and we had a lot of concerns at school. And he called a meeting and told us that everything was okay and reassured us that nothing was wrong with the institution."
For this student the fear is twofold:
First, whether the school will shut down.
Second, whether the years already invested and the cost will amount to anything at all. Her family's financial sacrifice of semesters tuition plus a minimum of approximately $800 monthly may now be in vain. She entered ANU straight out of high school. That's almost Three years of tuition, rent, food, transportation, and utilities. And tonight, no clarity on whether her credits can transfer anywhere.
Voice of: Anonymous
"I'm a bit frustrated and confused because I have nothing, no degree, you know. People my age have an associate's degree by now, but because I went straight to ANU, I have nothing. And then it's like I have to start over because they're telling us that no school will even accept the transcript, not that they even want to provide a transcript for us. So I always wanted to be a doctor. But because of this pushback, it has me thinking if I still want to pursue medicine because I really have to start over. That was like three years of my life. Well, I haven't completed the three years, but two years that I wasted. And I don't know what fi do from ya. I really don't know. I've been sitting looking at applications, but that's me starting over all over again."
The Ministry of Education is aware of the situation and had a zoom meeting with students today.
This case raises questions about the institutions we allow to open in our country - and this one even got an endorsement from the Belmopan City council in 2021. That can only be approved by the ministry itself.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"It's something that we've been discussing at the Ministry of Education. We're very concerned, and I have been very concerned about some of these offshore medical schools. We have to be concerned because, you know, there are allegations, let me say allegations, that, you know, there are things happening at some of these institutions that we need to look into. So that is being done. I have directed the Ministry of Education to sit down with these people to look at what is taking place to make sure that all of our questions and concerns are being addressed. It's not just the Ministry of Education. We put together a team that includes foreign affairs, immigration, and I think as well home affairs to have a discussion so that we can address the concerns that are being expressed."
Reporter
"What would happen to these students who are mostly Belizean? We have at least one parent complaining to us that it's a waste of their time and money. Her daughter was going into her third year."
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"Yeah, well, I mean, listen, I know one of the institutions has some students, has Belizean students. For the most part,all of the others have foreign nationals who are their students. These schools were really not set up for Belizeans. So, you know, I don't know when Belizeans started attending these schools and on whose advice they started attending these schools. We certainly provide no support to any students attending these schools, and that is the policy of the Ministry of Education. But yes, when these schools have a charter, there are certain obligations that come with that charter. And if those terms, the terms of the charter are being violated, we have a duty and responsibility to address it. And that's what we're doing."
For students, uncertainty remains…no transcripts, no assurances, and no clear pathway forward. Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
And in a statement this afternoon, the Ministry of Education revealed that the charter for American Northwest University School of Medicine expired in June 2024. The release states that there was no renewal, primarily because the institution did not meet the required terms and conditions for the charter renewal.
MOE has commenced direct engagement with approximately 25 students who are being affected and has offered guidance for them to be able to explore available options to ensure the continuity of their studies with minimal academic disruption. As part of these efforts, THE MoECST has initiated discussions with the University of Belize medical school, quote, "to facilitate a seamless transition for affected students who wish to continue their studies."
