Latest news with #Mara-sponsored
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Door to US education not closed
PETALING JAYA: Malaysian students planning to further their studies in the United States can continue submitting their applications as usual, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has confirmed. However, the embassy stressed that there is a distinction between submitting an application and securing a visa. 'Student and exchange programme visa applicants may continue to apply, and it is important that they are fully truthful in their applications,' the embassy said when contacted yesterday. This clarification comes amid reports that some Malaysian students are reconsidering their plans to pursue higher education in the United States, following policy changes introduced by the Trump administration. Students worldwide, including Malaysians, have expressed anxiety as the United States reportedly prepares to temporarily suspend US student visa appointments. Their concerns were heightened following reports that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had instructed US embassies to halt the scheduling of student visa interviews, as the administration moves to expand social media screening for applicants. The US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur gave an assurance that no previously scheduled appointments have been cancelled. 'For those without an appointment, we recommend continuing to monitor for the availability of new slots,' it said. Foreign students intending to study in the United States are typically required to attend an interview at a US embassy in their home country before a visa can be approved. On May 22, the Trump administration banned Harvard University from enrolling international students. A US judge has subsequently blocked the move but the uncertainty among students remains. The Harvard Club of Malaysia (HCM) has backed the university in opposing the move by President Donald Trump, saying: 'We at the Harvard Club of Malaysia fully support our alma mater's stand and affirm our commitment to openness, inquiry, and service — principles that not only define Harvard, but also our enduring role in society.' 'To isolate institutions of learning from the world is to undermine the very foundation of human progress,' said the HCM. Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that Mara-sponsored students initially bound for further studies in US universities this year will probably be sent to the United Kingdom instead. The United Kingdom seemed to be the best choice given its facilities and Mara's close cooperation with the universities there, he told reporters in London where he is on a four-day working visit. Asked about Public Service Department-sponsored students who are slated to pursue their studies in the United States, Ahmad Zahid said he would discuss with the Chief Secretary to the Government and PSD director-general on the matter.
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
US policy shift an opportunity to explore education elsewhere
LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that policy and systemic changes in the United States (US), including in the education sector, should be viewed as opportunities to explore the advantages of education in other countries. Zahid, who is also Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said this includes exploring new opportunities in the United Kingdom (UK), which has long established educational cooperation with Malaysia. "We know that Mara (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) has decided to stop sending its sponsored students to the US. My approach is this: when there is a threat, there is always an opportunity. We have to look at the other side of the coin. "In situations like this, I believe the UK education system, which we are familiar with, can be put to good use," he said. Zahid, who is also National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Committee chairman, said this during a press conference after chairing a meeting with the Malaysian delegation in conjunction with his four-day working visit to the UK starting today. Yesterday, Mara chairman Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki announced that Mara will stop sending its sponsored students to the US starting this year, following the introduction of new policies and directives under President Donald Trump. Previously, the Trump administration issued an order to halt the processing of all foreign student visas and was reportedly considering screening new applicants based on their social media posts. Zahid also said he would use his working visit to broaden cooperation in the field of TVET, particularly in exploring new areas such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics and green energy in collaboration with UK universities. "There are many new technology sectors, especially in green energy, that have already been implemented here and from which we can learn. We hope programmes like 'training the trainers' (ToT), for example, will bear fruit once they have undergone courses here," he said. Among the key items on Ahmad Zahid's itinerary in the UK are meetings with representatives of leading institutions such as University College London, delivering a public lecture on Malaysia's TVET direction and engaging with Mara-sponsored students.
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.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Mara-sponsored students may pursue studies in the UK amid US policy changes, says Zahid
LONDON: Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) sponsored students, who were initially bound for further studies in universities in the United States this year, will most likely be sent to the United Kingdom instead. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the UK seemed to be the best choice given the facilities and Mara's close cooperation with the universities there. "We already know that Mara will stop sending its students to the US starting this year (given the uncertainties in current US policies). "Thus, we will most probably send the students to the UK, where they will be able to pursue their chosen courses," he told reporters after a pre-council meeting on this four-day working visit to Britain on Monday (June 2). Furthermore, three universities in the UK have also agreed to give discounts of up to 20% in tuition fees for Mara-sponsored students, he said. "My belief is that whenever there is a calamity, there are always opportunities," he added. Asked about Public Service Department (JPA) sponsored students, who are also supposed to further their studies in the US, Ahmad Zahid said he will have a discussion with the Chief Secretary to the Government and JPA director-general on the matter. "We will conduct relevant discussions before taking any action or making a decision. "The same goes for other students sponsored by various agencies (who are supposed to go to the US for further studies)," he said. On his working visit to Britain, Ahmad Zahid said he would maximise the opportunities despite it being a short visit. "I will touch on various topics, including Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the halal market and tourism. "For tourism, I will be launching the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 in London on Tuesday (June 3). "I will also hold talks with tourism industry players in London, especially wholesalers and retailers," he said. Ahmad Zahid said the target is to attract 500,000 tourists from the UK by the end of 2026. "We hope to reach not only the UK market but Europe as well," he said. Ahmad Zahid arrived in London on Sunday night (June 1) for his four-day working visit to Britain, which will run until June 4, in a move aimed at further strengthening Malaysia-UK bilateral ties.
Malaysiakini
3 days ago
- Business
- Malaysiakini
Three UK universities offer tuition discount for Mara students
Three leading universities in the United Kingdom have agreed to offer tuition fee discounts of between 10 and 20 percent for Mara-sponsored students. Mara chairperson Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the discounts, secured through discussions between Mara and the universities' top management, could save more than RM100,000 per student annually...
