Latest news with #AsyrafWajdi
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
No more US varsities through Mara
LONDON: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) will stop sending its students for further studies in the United States starting this year. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki ( pic ) said the decision was made in view of uncertainties over policies under the US administration. 'A total of 131 Mara students are supposed to further their studies in the United States in October. 'However, given the uncertainties now, we do not want to place any risk on our students (by sending them there),' he told reporters here yesterday. Asyraf Wajdi is in London as part of the delegation of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is here on a four-day working visit until Wednesday. He said the students, who were supposed to go to the United States this October, would be sent to top universities in other countries. 'Among the countries being considered are Australia, New Zealand, Japan and China,' he said. 'We are also considering sending them to local universities.' Asyraf Wajdi said counsellors had been assigned to discuss with the students on their prospective destination. 'The most important thing is that we don't want to demotivate them. 'The counsellors will guide them to renowned universities in other countries,' he added. He said Mara was studying the impact of the US policies on its 266 students currently in the United States and would make a decision once the study was completed. Asyraf Wajdi also said that Mara would work closely with Cambridge University for the benefit of its students and educators. He said he has held discussions with Cambridge representatives, relaying to them that 12 out of the 57 Mara junior science colleges (MRSM) had Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). 'The students' performance is very encouraging, with 147 of getting straight As in IGCSE subjects. 'They (Cambridge representatives) were excited when we shared these facts with them.' In turn, Asyraf Wajdi said Cambridge representatives had agreed to visit MRSM to give students an orientation on Cambridge. 'In that sense, successful students can be prepared early.' Asyraf Wajdi said Mara has also agreed to embark on a research collaboration with Cambridge and to provide co-funding in areas such as quantum technology and artificial intelligence. 'We will send our lecturers for five master's and PhD courses in Cambridge. 'The university will sponsor another five. 'Our ultimate aim is to increase the capacity and competency of our educators so that our students get the best education.' Mara had also agreed to conduct leadership courses that could produce professors and lecturers who were not only active in academics but in industries too, he said. 'The training module will be developed by Cambridge.' On another matter, Asyraf Wajdi said three universities in the United Kingdom had agreed to offer discounts of between 10-20% in tuition fees for Mara-sponsored students. The universities are Warwick, Birmingham and Edinburgh. 'Both Warwick and Birmingham universities have agreed to offer 20% discounts in tuition fees for Mara students while Edinburgh offered a discount of 10%,' he said. 'For example, the discount is about £6,000 per year at Warwick University. 'So for three years, this will amount to £18,000. 'This would mean a total of RM103,000 in savings for those three years,' he added. With the discounts offered, Asyraf Wajdi said Mara could look into the possibility of increasing student allowances to help ease their cost of living. 'I met with students in the Sheffield and Manchester universities. 'The feedback I received is that their cost of living has increased significantly,' he added.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asyraf Wajdi: Three UK universities offer tuition discount for Mara students
LONDON: Three leading universities in the United Kingdom have agreed to offer tuition fee discounts of between 10 and 20 per cent to students sponsored by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), said its chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. He said the discounts, secured through discussions between Mara and the universities' top management, could help reduce the financial burden by more than RM100,000 per student annually. The three institutions are the University of Warwick and the University of Birmingham, both offering a 20 per cent discount, while the University of Edinburgh has agreed to a 10 per cent reduction. "To illustrate, Warwick is offering a discount of up to £6,000 a year. For a typical three-year undergraduate programme, that amounts to £18,000, or around RM110,000 in total, significantly lowering the overall cost," he said during a press conference today. Asyraf Wajdi is currently in the UK for strategic meetings with senior leadership and prominent academics at the University of Cambridge, as well as several other institutions. He said there are currently 1,508 Mara-sponsored students pursuing their studies in the UK. He added that the Cambridge University Trust has also expressed interest in collaborating with Mara through a co-funding arrangement for postgraduate research students at the Master's and PhD levels. "Insya-Allah, if all terms are finalised, Mara could save up to RM5 million through this initiative," he said. He described the partnership as part of Mara's strategic agenda to ensure that Malaysian students are globally competitive in academic and professional fields. Additionally, he said Cambridge University had agreed to send a delegation to Malaysia to engage with Maktab Rendah Sains Mara International General Certificate of Secondary Education (MRSM IGCSE) students. The initiative, he said, aligns with Mara's goal to establish a dedicated academic feeder pathway for MRSM students seeking admission into top global universities. Asyraf Wajdi also said that the collaboration would create opportunities for 9,987 Mara educators across vocational colleges, Mara universities and MRSMs to participate in knowledge exchange programmes. "These educators will be able to undertake joint research and pursue postgraduate studies in strategic fields at Cambridge. "These include renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), social sciences, quantum technology, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), entrepreneurial innovation, and other emerging disciplines that will shape the global economy of the future," he said.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Three UK universities offer tuition discount for MARA students
LONDON: Three leading universities in the United Kingdom have agreed to offer tuition fee discounts of between 10 and 20 percent for students sponsored by Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), said its chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki. He said the discounts, secured through discussions between MARA and the universities' top management, could save more than RM100,000 per student annually. The three institutions are Warwick University and Birmingham University, which have agreed to a 20 percent discount, while the University of Edinburgh is offering 10 percent. 'To illustrate, Warwick University is offering a discount of up to £6,000 a year. For a typical three-year undergraduate programme, that amounts to £18,000, around RM110,000 in total, significantly reducing the cost,' he said at a press conference today. Asyraf Wajdi is currently in the UK for strategic meetings with senior leadership and renowned senior academics at the University of Cambridge, as well as several other universities. He said there are currently 1,508 MARA-sponsored students pursuing their studies in the UK. He added that the Cambridge University Trust has expressed interest in collaborating with MARA through a co-funding arrangement for postgraduate research students at the Master's and PhD levels. 'Insya-Allah, if all terms are finalised, MARA could save up to RM5 million through this initiative,' he said. He described the partnership as part of MARA's strategic agenda to ensure Malaysian students are not only competitive on a national level but also on par with their global peers in academic and professional arenas. In addition, he said Cambridge University has also agreed to send a delegation to Malaysia to engage with Maktab Rendah Sains MARA International General Certificate of Secondary Education (MRSM IGCSE). He said the initiative aligns with MARA's decision to establish a dedicated academic feeder pathway for MRSM students to gain entry into top global universities. Asyraf Wajdi added that the collaboration would also open doors for 9,987 MARA educators across its vocational colleges, MARA universities, and MRSMs to participate in knowledge exchange programmes. 'These educators will have opportunities for joint research and to pursue postgraduate studies in strategic fields at Cambridge. 'These include renewable energy, artificial intelligence (AI), social sciences, quantum technology, blockchain, the Internet of Things (IoT), entrepreneurial innovation and other emerging disciplines that will shape the future global economy,' he said.
Free Malaysia Today
7 days ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Mas Ermieyati unfazed by Asyraf's lawsuit threat
Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki should not use Mara or its lawyers to file a personal lawsuit against her. PETALING JAYA : Bersatu's Mas Ermieyati Samsudin says she is unfazed by Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki's threat of Bersatu's Mas Ermieyati Samsudin says she is unfazed by Mara chairman Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki's threat of legal action against her for allegedly defaming him over the management of the agency's funds. The Wanita Bersatu chief said her criticism stemmed from messages and complaints conveyed to her by the public, particularly parents and students. She also said that Asyraf, the Umno secretary-general, should not use Mara or its lawyers to file a personal lawsuit against her. 'I will not be intimidated by such threats of legal action,' the Masjid Tanah MP said in a statement. 'If he believes what I've raised is slander, he should answer with facts, not by threatening to sue (me). 'I will continue to speak up for Bumiputera children, for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students, for the Malaysian people, and for our beloved country.' Asyraf yesterday said that Mas Ermieyati had levelled a series of allegations against him, including accusing him of not funding TVET students. In her statement, Mas Ermieyati challenged Asyraf to explain why the online application process for the March 2025 student intake remained closed. She also asked him to clarify the status of delayed disbursements for TVET loans and whether Mara had discontinued the technical and entrepreneurial skills training programme. She likewise asked whether public funds had been used for recent domestic and international trips by Asyraf and his entourage.
Malay Mail
20-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
‘We already have clinics': Asyraf Wajdi moots Mara's own hospital so more Bumiputera can join medical sector
KUCHING, May 20 — Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) aims to elevate its healthcare services to a higher level through a proposal to establish a MARA Hospital to strengthen Bumiputera participation in the medical sector and professional entrepreneurship. MARA Chairman, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, said this initiative is a continuation of the success of MARA-operated clinic networks such as UNI Clinic, UNI Dental and UNI Pharmacy, which now number 140 branches nationwide. "We already have clinics. Why not, one day, have a MARA Hospital as well,' he said during the launch of UNI Klinik Metrocity here today. He said MARA has an advantage through a comprehensive ecosystem that includes education, such as the UniKL Royal College of Medicine Perak in Ipoh, which offers medical and pharmacy courses, as well as student financing programmes both domestically and abroad. Asyraf Wajdi said MARA intends to unite all layers of students, alumni, entrepreneurs and investors into a strategic ecosystem called 'MARA Ecosystem 2.0'. "It is time to gather all those who have benefited from MARA into an extensive network of Bumiputera entrepreneurs and investors. "The achievements of Bumiputera should be measured through the 3P Agenda, namely, participation by ensuring more Bumiputera are involved in strategic sectors. "Secondly, ownership, by increasing Bumiputera ownership of assets, companies and businesses and thirdly, dominance, by establishing Bumiputera as dominant players in high-value economic sectors such as healthcare and technology. "We cannot just be proud of how many doctors we produce. We must measure how many doctors can become entrepreneurs, and subsequently manufacturers and suppliers,' Asyraf Wajdi said. He said MARA must operate as a large conglomerate with full coordination across education, entrepreneurship and investment. — Bernama
