New Straits Times
Thursday, Oct 18, 2012
MALAYSIA - Almost 10 per cent of more than 30,000 applications from foreigners to study here were rejected as of Sept 30, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung said.
This was because they did not fulfil the criteria set by the ministry.
"As of Sept 30, there were 31,359 applications from foreigners to study here. After checks, 3,049 applications were rejected," said Hou when answering a question from Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed (BN-Sepang) about the screening of foreign students wishing to study here.
Hou said among the criteria were that the students should have an offer letter from a local higher learning institution, possess the necessary academic qualifications and be medically fit. The courses must also be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. Students from sub-Saharan countries also had to have a "non-objection" certificate from their country.
"Foreign students must submit applications through their host countries. Those who come in with visa-on-arrival and social visit passes are no longer considered for student passes."
He said statistics showed that only a small number of foreign students were involved in crime here.
To another question by Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani) on fake degrees, Hou said civil servants found to have fake degrees or doctorates would be terminated from their jobs, as provided for by law.
"So far, we have not received any complaints about higher education institutes which provide fake degrees. It is usually syndicates which do this for easy money."
He said the ministry monitored the press for advertisements for bogus degrees.
Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) asked Hou if the ministry had any mechanism to take action against foreign universities selling bogus degrees.
Hou replied that the ministry was powerless to take action against foreign universities.
Thursday, Oct 18, 2012
MALAYSIA - Almost 10 per cent of more than 30,000 applications from foreigners to study here were rejected as of Sept 30, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung said.
This was because they did not fulfil the criteria set by the ministry.
"As of Sept 30, there were 31,359 applications from foreigners to study here. After checks, 3,049 applications were rejected," said Hou when answering a question from Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Mohamed (BN-Sepang) about the screening of foreign students wishing to study here.
Hou said among the criteria were that the students should have an offer letter from a local higher learning institution, possess the necessary academic qualifications and be medically fit. The courses must also be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. Students from sub-Saharan countries also had to have a "non-objection" certificate from their country.
"Foreign students must submit applications through their host countries. Those who come in with visa-on-arrival and social visit passes are no longer considered for student passes."
He said statistics showed that only a small number of foreign students were involved in crime here.
To another question by Johari Abdul (PKR-Sungai Petani) on fake degrees, Hou said civil servants found to have fake degrees or doctorates would be terminated from their jobs, as provided for by law.
"So far, we have not received any complaints about higher education institutes which provide fake degrees. It is usually syndicates which do this for easy money."
He said the ministry monitored the press for advertisements for bogus degrees.
Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) asked Hou if the ministry had any mechanism to take action against foreign universities selling bogus degrees.
Hou replied that the ministry was powerless to take action against foreign universities.
