KUALA LUMPUR: Scholarships for Palestinian students to pursue their studies in Malaysia will be entirely funded by 12 local universities.
Higher Education Department director-general Datin Dr Siti Hamisah Tapsir said it was a practice of local universities to offer scholarships for Malaysian and international students worth about RM100 million.
“For example, Albukhary International University is well-known for its philanthropy concept by offering scholarships to students from war-torn countries, so that they can return and redevelop their respective countries.
“It has attracted other private universities to offer similar assistance (scholarships) to Palestinian students.
“This clearly showcases the universities’ commitment and concern in improving academic excellence, not only in their respective universities but also providing opportunities for Palestinian students to pursue their studies,” she said in a statement today.
Siti Hamisah said the willingness of the 12 universities to assist the students during the holy month of Ramadan showcases the solidarity among the higher learning institutions towards the oppressed Palestinians.
“We would like to express our gratitude to the 12 universities that offered the scholarships from their own funds.”
The universities involved are Albukhary International University (RM3.5 million); Management and Science University (RM1.1 million); Mahsa University (1.094 million); Kolej Universiti Islam Perlis (RM1.02 million) and City University with RM1 million.
Other universities are Multimedia University (RM1 million); UCSI University (RM719,433); Universiti Teknologi Petronas (RM681,500); Universiti Tenaga Nasional (RM575,000); Sunway University (RM500,000); Universiti Kuala Lumpur (RM158,400) and Universiti Utara Malaysia (RM128,000).
There are a total of 169 scholarships available at these universities.
On Wednesday, the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that the scholarships worth RM11.47 million would be channeled through the Palestinian Cultural Organisation Malaysia.