20 Public Universities Offer Scholarships to Women from Countries in Armed Conflict

BALIK PULAU, 22 December – Public Universities (UA) nationwide has agreed to offer scholarships and placements to women from Islamic countries stricken with armed conflict to continue their studies in Malaysia.

Chairperson of the UA Vice Chancellors/Rectors Committee (JKNCR) Brig. Jen. Datuk Prof. Emeritus Dr. Kamarudin Hussin said that the matter was agreed upon unanimously by all UA Vice Chancellors and Rectors.

“It has been titled the 'OIC-Malaysia Scholarship: Academic Support Programme – Providing Educational Opportunities to Women from Countries in Armed Conflict' and the matter was proposed by the Rector of the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM) Prof. Datuk Sri Dr. Zaleha Kamaruddin.

“We have been attentive to the fates of our brothers and sisters in countries such as Syria and Palestine who have not been able to continue their studies because of war, causing schools and universities to be shut down,” he said when met after chairing the UA JKNC/R Conference at the Park Royal Hotel recently.

He explained that the scholarship programme will be launched by Prime Minister  Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak at the International Islamic Women Summit 2016 which will take place in March.

“JKNC/R hopes that the scholarship would be able to provide moral support from emotional and intellectual aspects for women who has been involved in war to be able to overcome trauma caused by conflict in their own countries.

“Each UA will offer five to ten scholarships in relevant subjects yet to be identified and the scholarship will be announced via the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” he said.

According to Kamarudin, the maximum time frame for the scholarship programme is four years for a Bachelor's Degree, two for a Master's Degree and three for a Doctorate.

The UA JKNC/R is a medium for all Vice Chancellors from 20 Public Universities in Malaysia to meet and discuss how to improve and update the nation's syllabus system.

It is held four times a year and each UA rotates as a host.