International Graduate Student Files $500,000 Lawsuit Against University of Calgary
An international graduate student at the University of Calgary has initiated legal proceedings against the institution, seeking $500,000 in compensation for what he describes as academic procedural failures that endangered his immigration standing and professional future in Canada.
Enes Etlik, who recently completed studies in the Faculty of Law, claims the university's actions resulted in substantial financial losses, reputational damage, and significant personal distress.
Alleged Breaches and Immigration Consequences
According to court documents filed with the Court of King's Bench in Calgary on September 15, Etlik alleges the university violated its contractual obligations by not following its published academic calendar. The calendar明确规定春季和夏季课程必须在8月30日截止日期前完成。
"The university's actions have jeopardized my ability to graduate and obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit," Etlik stated in an email. "This effectively ends my ability to work or complete licensing as a lawyer in Canada."
The lawsuit cites multiple violations including breaches of procedural fairness, privacy concerns, negligent administration, and intimidation.
Foreign Trained Lawyers Program Complications
Etlik, a Turkish native with Belgian citizenship, was enrolled in the University of Calgary's Foreign Trained Lawyers Program - a specialized 12-month certification course designed for internationally trained lawyers seeking accreditation to practice law in Canada.
"This program is for international lawyers," Etlik explained in an interview. "I'm a lawyer in Turkey and I came to Canada to become a Canadian lawyer. This one-year program helps international lawyers to become accredited lawyers in Canada."
The program requires completion of six courses. Etlik successfully passed five courses but encountered difficulties with the sixth - administrative law. The entire grade for this particular course depends solely on the final examination.
After failing the final exam, Etlik requested a supplemental examination. He alleges the university failed to provide this examination within the timeline specified in the academic calendar, causing him to miss critical deadlines for applying for articling positions and his Post-Graduation Work Permit.
"Despite this published deadline, the defendant failed to provide the plaintiff with a fixed date or clear procedure for the supplemental exam," states his claim. "The defendant later admitted that supplemental and reappraisal exams were handled outside the academic calendar, although no such exception was ever disclosed to students."
The case highlights the significant challenges international students face when navigating complex academic and immigration systems simultaneously, with potentially career-altering consequences when procedural failures occur.
