Malaysian Prime Minister Badawi has announced new steps to help Indian students in the country in an effort to enhance the socio-economic standing of the Indian community. The initiatives, which are to be implemented immediately, include converting more capital-aided Tamil schools into fully-aided ones that are eligible for more government support as well as recognition and assistance for AIMST medical students. The Prime Minister announced the steps at the opening of the 62nd MIC Annual General Meeting.
from Bernama
Education Initiatives Announced for Indian Students
KUALA LUMPUR (Saturday, July 12, 2008): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today announced immediate steps to enhance education among Indian students, either at school or university level, for the long-term benefit of the country’s third largest community.
He said among others, the government had agreed to turn more capital-aided Tamil schools, many of which are in the rural areas, into fully-aided schools.
“The government will also speed up the process of merging and consolidating the Tamil schools that have less than 50 students,” he said in his speech when opening the 62nd MIC Annual General Meeting at the Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre here.
Abdullah said the government also agreed that students from the MIC-run Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) University in Kedah would be allowed to apply for scholarships from the Public Services Department.
The move would make AIMST University as the fifth private university to enjoy such a facility after institutions like the Monash University, Swinburne University and the University of Nottingham, among others.
The BN chairman said the government would also assist the AIMST University to increase its student population in critical fields such as engineering and medical — a move which Abdullah said would help push the university’s standard to a higher level.
He said such a recognition would indirectly result in more Indian students taking courses at the university, of which main campus was under construction on a 156-hectare site in Semeling, Kedah.
The AIMST University now operates at its temporary campus in Bandar Aman Jaya, Sungai Petani.
Abdullah said the government was giving emphasis to education in the efforts to help the community because the success of future generation would depend on human capital development through skills enhancement training and education.
Also present at the one-day meeting were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, MIC President Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu and some 3,300 delegates, including MIC branch leaders nationwide.
It was telecast live over Radio Television Malaysia (RTM).
Earlier Abdullah arrived at the meeting’s venue to a thunderous applause from those present.
The prime minister, who was cheerful, started his speech by telling them that he came late to the event because he had just arrived from Kuching, Sarawak.
“At first I thought of asking Datuk Seri Najib to take over — he will be replacing me anyway — but I’ve promised Datuk Seri Samy that I will be present.
“I’ve not forgotten that promise and even though I’m a bit late, I’m here now,” he said.
Abdullah said he was also happy that the delegates had responded well to the speech delivered by the MIC president.
Among issues expected to be discussed at the meeting were the party’s worst performance in the March 8 general election, its rejuvenation programme, Tamil school education as well as equity participation among the community.