The students had completed two years of study at the local college but are still waiting for the diploma, theSun Online reported.

College registrar Tan Boon See said the college in Perth had also failed to offer an explanation for not providing the diplomas that are due to the 45 students involved.

She said the two colleges had collaborated on the programme since 2013.

“The ownership and management of our Australian partner has changed twice over the last two years,” Tan was quoted as saying by the daily.

She said the Australian college had neglected its role in the academic collaboration, she told a press conference organised by the Gerakan public services and complaints bureau in Kuala Lumpur today.

Tan said local college representatives made two trips to Perth in June and September to seek a solution to the problem, but failed.

“We were only given half an hour to discuss the matter and the results were disappointing as they kicked us out before we could come to a conclusion,” she said, adding that the Australian college administration failed to provide an explanation for their refusal to provide the diplomas.

“We have also emailed them but they have not replied.”

She said the students needed the diplomas to secure jobs and had each paid RM32,000 in total to enrol in the programme, certified by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency.

According to theSun, Gerakan public complaints bureau chairman Wilson Lau said he would write to the Malaysian higher education ministry and the Australian college for answers.