Tag: University Students

GMUKM Wins Big in UKM Campus Election

4

SHAH ALAM, 24 Oct: The National University of Malaysia Student Coalition (GMUKM – Gabungan Mahasiswa Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) won big in this time’s campus election by receiving 22 seats, while Aspirasi (Aspiration) win 4 seats and Bebas (Free), 1 seat.

GMUKM Chairman, Abdullah Sani Hashim said the winning factor was the strength of GMUKM and Student Unity Front (SUF), a new party in arms which represents the Chinese community in UKM.

In addition, he said the Facebook social media website was among the largest contributor to GMUKM’s victory, as quoted from Harakah Daily.

In this regard, he called for all students across the country to start involving in politics in their first year.

“In UKM, we sow the seed of politics and values; ‘president’s debate’, ‘candidate manifesto debate’, and ‘campaign creativity’ are among the priorities. It is a new political environment we have here at UKM.

“For our friends who will face Campus elections, we recommend to create this environment and we must be prepared to change the despicable political atmosphere that is happening today,” he added.

Household Income of RM3,000 Eligible to Receive Prize Children Offered Places in Universities

2.1

SHAH ALAM, 24 Oct: The Selangor Government Executive Councillors approved the qualifications for the Prize offered to Selangor children offered places in local universities from a household income of RM1,500 to RM3,000 a month.

The Exco in charge of Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali said the implementation of the scheme was agreed upon as the state’s financial status is strong and effective.

Dr Halimah said the approval of the eligibility is the first implementation of the State Government manifesto after the 13th General Election.

2.2

“Originally, we wanted to include this implementation in the framework of the 2014, but with the wisdom of the Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, in safeguarding the Selangor Government’s finances, this effort is able to be implemented earlier.

“Eligible recipients are children of Selangor who receive offers to further their studies at the Diploma and Bachelor’s level from Private or Public Institutes of Higher Learning,” she said after the Exco Meeting at the State Secretary’s Building (SUK) yesterday.

She said the scheme is one of the pro-people programmes under the Merakyatkan Ekonomi Selangor (MES) agenda.

“The prize of RM1,000 is given to the children of Selangor from families earning RM3,000 and below to help them pursue their education in public or private institutes of higher learning accredited by the government.

“Until now, the amount recorded has reached over RM35.7 million spent on about RM35,772 participants who have benefited from this programme,” she said.

Mukhriz Urged to Emulate Fairness, Wisdom of Selangor and Penang’s PR Government

1

SHAH ALAM, 1 Oct: The Chief Minister of Kedah, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir has been urged to learn from the Selangor and Penang Pakatan Rakyat governments in providing welfare to all sincerely without political interests.

Member of Parliament for Penang Hill, Zairil Khir Johari said that the media has reported that the Kedah Government does not entertain any request for assistance from Chinese vernacular schools and only focuses its priorities on national schools.

“Such statements by a Chief Minister, as the supreme leader of the state, are not only irresponsible and vengeful in nature, but it is like no lesson has been learned from history,” he said.

Zairil said, that the Selangor Government had earlier announced that the Opposition Leader of the Selangor State Assembly will receive additional allowances amounting to RM8,620 per month, including the use of an official car.

Meanwhile, the Penang State Government announced an allocation of RM40,000 per year to be given to BN opposition Assemblymen for infrastructure projects.

“The move by the Selangor and Penang governments do not only respect democracy and the people’s choices, but it is also in line with the desire for national integration,” said Zairil in a statement.

Bank Negara Proposes to Introduce Financial Education in Schools

2

KUALA LUMPUR, 8 Oct: Financial Education will be incorporated into core subjects in primary and secondary school education as a step forward to raise financial awareness and smart management among consumers in the country.

For the success of the effort, the Assistant Governor of Bank Negara Malaysia, Abu Hassan Alshari Yahya, said that they are currently in talks with the Ministry of Education and related agencies.

“We want awareness of financial management to begin at a young age.

“Starting with basic financial knowledge (Primary School), students will be thought the culture of saving, prudent spending and the importance of investment (Secondary School),” he said.

He said this after launching the Prudent Financial Month themed ‘Financial Responsibility Begins With Me’ at Sasana Kijang, Bank Negara Malaysia in the capital yesterday.

Also present was the Vice-President and the Head of Community Financial Services at Maybank, Datuk Lim Hong Tat, and the President of Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FOMCA), Datuk Marimuthu Nadason.

According to Abu Hassan, by year 2014, financial education will be implemented in Primary Schools. Meanwhile for Secondary Schools, by the year 2017.

For starters, financial education will be integrated in the Malay Language and Mathematics subjects for Standard 3 students.

If the trial is successful, Abu Hassan does not rule out the possibility of making Financial Education a core subject in schools.

Subjects that will be covered include money management, credit and debt, as well as protection and insurance schemes.

Central Government Urged to Safeguard the Fate of 6,000 GSTT Graduates

7

SHAH ALAM, 4 Oct: The Central Government has been urged to safeguard the fate of over 6,000 Untrained Attachment Teachers (GSTT) graduates who have yet to obtain placement till now.

Member of Parliament for Kulai, Teo Nie Ching, said that the Central Government must provide explanation and statistics of vacancies of all schools so that it can be evaluated with proper planning to solve the problem.

She said, the matter shows the failure of the Central Government in making perfect plans thus wasting national resources.

According to Nie Ching, in January 2012, the Ministry of Education started a Teaching Post Graduate Diploma Course (DPLI) to solve the problem of shortage of teachers in Primary and Secondary Schools.

However, Untrained Attachment Teachers (GSTT) graduates that finished the course in May this year have yet to obtain placement until now.

“GST-DPLI graduates amount to 6,020 people; 2,017 under the Primary School category and 4,003 under the Secondary School category.

“The list of candidates has been submitted to the Education Service Commission (SPP) and interviews are expected to be conducted in October. Appointment would begin in January next year,” said Nie Ching in a press statement.

Nie Ching added that there is still no information on the interviews on the website for the Ministry of Education or SPP till now.

When the graduates called the Department, officers were not able to give the date of the interview as pointed stated by the Deputy Minister.

“All of the graduates signed a 2-year service contract with the Ministry, thus making it an obstacle to find alternative employment, especially in the private sector.

“Has the Ministry cared about them when they have to wait for placement for 7 months and face the problem of unemployment as well as having to bear the high cost of living?” she asked.

Nie Ching said that unofficial surveys indicate that there are 100-120 vacancies in primary schools.

“If there has been a shortage for a long time, why have the interviews and placement of GSTT-DPLI graduates been suspended?

“Furthermore, DPLI studies have produced 6,000 teachers who are still waiting for placement, raising a huge doubt on the matter,” she said.

University Enrollment Gift Limit of Eligibity Increase To RM3000

mb-uni-insentif-300x199

SUBANG JAYA, 23 SEPT: In the Selangor Budget 2014, the Government will increase the Children’s University Enrolment Gift limit of eligibility from a household income of RM1,500 to RM3,000 a month.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said the state’s strong financial position enables pro-people empowerment programmes such as this.

“We are able to increase this incentive following the state’s reserves which has increased up to almost RM3 billion,” he said at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Budget Dialogue Ceremony at the Grand Dorsett Subang Jaya.

This scheme is part of Selangor’s People Based Economy (MES) agenda.

The prize worth RM1,000 is given to children of families in Selangor that earn RM1,500 and less, to assist their further education to government-accredited higher public/private institutions pursuing either a diploma or degree.

So far, RM35.7 million has been spent on approximately 35,722 participants who benefited from the programme.

“The response to this program is very impressive and it certainly benefits the people of Selangor,” he said.

Selangor Budget 2014 Offers Varsity Scholarships

halimah
SUBANG JAYA, SEPT 23: Selangor’s Budget 2014 will be offering Chief Minister Scholarships with an allocation of RM1.1 million as a start.

The Exco for Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Halimah Ali, said the scholarship will be awarded to postgraduate students via issuance of bonds in an effort to form a Selangor Brain Bank.

She said this will be presented during the 2014 Budget in November, which will commence early 2014.

“For the Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development portfolio, we provide both short and long-term plannings for the people of Selangor.

“After providing successful services to the people of this state last term, Pakatan Selangor will further enhance our service with this offer,” she told reporters after the presenting the proposal during the State Budget Dialogue 2014 at the Grand Dorset Subang Jaya.

Halimah also added that among the things that will be implemented next year includes a Study of Social Policy Centre.

“This Centre will be governed by the local authorities with aims to investigate which state policies should be implemented. However, the cost needed to operate the Centre is still under discussion,” she said.

In addition, she also informed that RM11.6 million will be allocated by the State Government for the development of human capital.

In a presentation entitled ‘Mengehsankan Insan Di Selangor‘, seven short and long-term plans to address education, higher education and social ills will be implemented within the next five years.

Among them will be creating life-long learning, upgrading skills, creating Selangor Open Campus, IMBE skills programme, Sultan Salahuddin Idris Shah Centre of Excellence, and the enactment of Selangor Islamic Education, the Maahad Tahfiz Integration.

“This plan is currently being studied for implementation. For example, we want to create Maahad Tahfiz in each district. So far we have three and we need six more,” she said.

Companies and Private Agencies Praise Ability of UNISEL Graduates

1.1

SHAH ALAM, 13 SEPT: Graduates of the Faculty of Art and Design at the Selangor University (Unisel) have shown proud, robust performance when they enter employment.

Graduates of the faculty also received praise and recognition from various parties, thus proving that Unisel produces a high-quality workforce.

The Dean of the Faculty of Art and Design, Sayuti Chik Tajuddin said that a survey of several advertising, media and communication agencies have provided positive feedback on the matter.

“From a visit to the companies, they praised and said that a majority of Unisel students are capable and have their own abilities.

“In fact, industries have informed that Unisel students are the best compared to (graduates from) other universities,” he said during the Faculty of Art and Design Dean Award ceremony here yesterday.

1.2

A total of 10 graduates received the award at the ceremony.

Sayuti said that the faculty also recorded commendable achievement compared to other faculties when they received the highest award with levels above 40 percent.

“This is a success for students of this faculty,” he said.

Among the award recipients is a student of Bachelors of Arts and Digital Graphic Design, Abdul Rahman Mat Admara, 27, who is currently serving in a company in Putrajaya.

He said that good division of time made his able to work and learn to achieve outstanding results.

Muhammad Azfar Samsudin, 20, a student of Diploma of Photographic Technology said that continuous efforts with her friends as well as referencing with lecturers have given the he results expected.

1.3

“I am delighted with the award and will continue to strive to excel in education,” he said.

This was similar for Mirrah Syafiquah Hasannudin, 20, who is of the opinion that pursuing studies diligently as well as cooperation between students and lecturers will create success.

“I always get the views of friends and lecturers for each piece of work,” said the student of a Diploma in Digital Graphic Design.

PTPTN Debt Crisis Must be Addressed Immediately

6

SHAH ALAM, 11 SEPT: The struggles of university students who are not given the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan because the body has failed to collect from defaulters needs to be dealt with immediately.

The Exco in charge of Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali said that the Federal Government’s delay in acting will affect the opportunities for students to pursue their studies in Institutes of Higher Learning (IPT).

“The problem of education must be addressed as stated by the Minister of Education in the launching ceremony of the Malaysian Education Development Plan 2013-2025 recently.

“Focus on this matter is important, not only because it involves the majority of Bumiputera students, but access and facilities should be provided if the Federal Government does not want opportunities of other students to be affected,” he stressed.

Halimah said this in response to media reports explaining that at least 15,000 students will not receive the PTPTN loan of the body fails to recover RM300 million worth of loans which have been issued.

Blind KUIS Graduate with a Bright Mind

2

BANGI, 11 Sep: Vision impairment was no barrier for Khairul Azwan Wahab to successfully obtain a degree in Communication (Broadcasting).

Khairul, 25, was among the 1,896 graduates from various disciplines who received their respective diplomas and degrees at the Selangor International Islamic University College (KUIS) Convocation Ceremony.

“Do not let disabilities become an inferiority or barrier for us to succeed. Instead let the disability be a strength for us to succeed in the future.

“Nothing is impossible in this world if we work hard, darkness would become light,” he explained.

The son of a Felda settler from the south said that the Islamic curriculum and learning environment which is peaceful and comfortable in KUIS is the motivating factor and his strength for his to succeed as any other normal person.

Khairul is currently serving as a part-time officer at the Strategic Planning Division of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

He is the second of six siblings and has been visually impaired since birth.

PKR: Immediate Action to Save Public Universities

1

SHAH ALAM, September 11: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has expressed concern on the ranking drop of public universities in the country in the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Ranking 2013.

Member of Parliament for Pandan, Rafizi Ramli said that the Central Government and the people of Malaysia in general have to face the reality that public education institutions need to be saved.

“The fact that six out of seven public universities in the country are declining in their rankings should be taken seriously by all parties openly.

“Even more so when the best university in Asia is the National University of Singapore (NUS) which is ranked 24th, making it the best university in Asia beating universities in Japan, South Korea and China,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

This list is one of the three international university ranking lists that are influential and widely followed, in addition to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

The report shows six out of seven public universities in Malaysia have dropped in their rankings.

The report is based on the six important indicators which are academic achievement, the ability to obtain employment and employer’s views, the ratio of students to teaching faculty, research references, international student body and teaching faculty.

The six local universities that have dropped in their rankings are the University of Malaya (UM) from 156 in year 2012 to 167 this year, the National University of Malaysia (UKM) from 261 to 269, University of Science Malaysia (USM) from 326 to 355 this year.

Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) has dropped from 360 to 411-420, the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) from 401-450 to 501-550 and the Mara University of Technology (UiTM) from 601 to 701 this year.

Meanwhile, only one of the country’s institute of higher learning which is the University of Technology, Malaysia (UTM) rose from 358 in year 2012 to 355 this year.

“The problem of unemployment among graduates, especially Malay Bumiputera graduates stem from the declining quality of tertiary education every year which has been confirmed by the ranking of the country’s public universities,” said Rafizi.

He suggested six steps to restore the integrity and quality of public universities i the country in the next 10 years. He emphasised that this has to be mobilised starting from now.

The steps are: to restore academic freedom by giving autonomy to the University Senate without Government interference; to restore university leadership according to merit based on credibility, experience and integrity; to stop all political propaganda oriented activities or programmes or which stifles critical thinking of students; a scholarship system that gives the best place in the best universities in Malaysia to the best students; and the empowerment of the academic faculty credibility by bringing in the best teachers and researchers from around the world.

“I believe that these measures are the beginning in restoring the excellence of public universities in the country with the aim of having UM ranked in the world’s top 100 universities 10 years from now,” he added.

Selangor Students in Egypt Offered to Continue Studies in KUIS

2

BANGI, SEPT 10: Selangor students who are continuing their studies in Egypt can continue their studies in the same field at the Selangor International Islamic University College (KUIS).

The Exco of Education, Higher Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Halimah Ali said that the proposal is to ensure that all students of Selangor under the sponsorship of the Selangor Zakat Board (LZS) who are affected by the Egyptian crisis can safely continue their studies in the country.

“At least 1,200 Selangor students sponsored by the LZS (religious studies) are studying in Egypt. We are concerned for their safety in additional to the environmental risk which is not suitable for them to continue their studies there, so we are offering for them to continue their studies in the same field at KUIS,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr Halimah said that 79 students sponsored by LZS who were supposed to continue their studies in Egypt has been directly absorbed by KUIS.

In the meantime, the Reactor of KUIS, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Abd Halim Tamuri said that to meet the requirements, KUIS is working to bring in lecturers from Egypt and Syria.

“The entry of these students will be adjusted in terms of the transfer of credit hours, (and) it also depends on their transcript there.

“On our part we will provide the best for them, including the providing qualified instructors from Egypt and Syria,” he said.

Egypt has been in turmoil since President Mohamed Morsi, who was democratically elected last year, was overthrown by the military regime on July 3, 2013.