The coterie of brilliant minds (Roel van Leeuwen, Dov Bing, Marg Coldham-Fussell, and the eminent Professor Roy Crawford – Vice Chancellor) have done Waikato University, and New Zealand education in general, proud. First of all, the first three (Roeltje, the student, with Dov and Marg Grand High Overlords) got together and conspired to create a masterpiece of literary wisdom and label it a thesis. After passing this off as a ruby in the dust, they set about defending this sterling piece of tabloid journalism, co-opting the Tertiary Education Union into threatening a walkout of academic staff if the holiness of this newly created ‘Third Testament’ be questioned.
So now to the legacy. And one has to consider that this is suitable karma for the so-called ‘authorities’ in charge of maintaining standards for Tertiary Education. By placing this wonderful piece of dribble onto the internet, with the stamp of approval of their “University” they are effectively showcasing to the world the low standards of New Zealand education. While most New Zealanders, including the so-called and “self-styled” Anarchists, accept the gospel of Academic Standards, overseas “expats”, and those researching places to study, are beginning to discover this sordid saga and be warned off parting with their hard-won (or inherited) spondulix and are being advised (or being wise enough) to seek study anywhere BUT New Zealand. Bravo, bravo! Roel, Dov, Marg, and friends. You guys are ace!
Google “Roel van Leeuwen” and have a browse around the debacle that was/is his first class Masters. His thesis is online and it doesn’t take much reading before you find yourself head scratching as to how it could have been awarded a first – and that’s before you take into account the issues with his misattributing sources, doing his research poorly and making errors that five minutes on wikipedia could have corrected. Combine that with his boasting on LJ about the possibility of BS-ing his supervisors because he chose a minority subject and discussing getting his female students to do their homework in braille on their breasts and him doing the marking at home and that should tell you all you need to know about the standard of post grad education in some NZ establishments. He singlehandedly did an awful lot to pull down NZ post grad reputations overseas (again, this is covered by a google).
My advice? Anywhere but there.
Source: “Butterfly” - posting on the Expat Exposed forum.
This is surely a legacy to be proud of. I am sure every New Zealand will join with me in thanking Roel, Bing, Marg, and his eminence Roy Crawford in saying a big fat “thank you very much”, while cracking open a can or two of Tui. You guys rock! You guys are better than Justin Bieber.
(Oh, and congratulations to the other little toadies who played a part in helping tarnish the reputation of the Waikato University and New Zealand tertiary “education” … maybe you’ll have better luck auditioning as extras for The Hobbit.)
For those new to this sordid little saga, the thesis is available online: Dreamers of the Dark
[Watch out for little birdies... change is in the wind.]
Tags: Dov Bing, Dreamers of the Dark, Marg Coldham-Fussell, Roel van Leeuwen, Roy Crawford, Satanism, Waikato University
