| NHEF Loans Not To Be Raised Now |
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KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Loans under the National Higher Education Fund (NHEF) will not be raised given the financial constraints, said Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
"Still, the government will not let financial matters disrupt students' studies and will make assessments from time to time," he said during winding up of the debate on the Supply Bill 2009 for his ministry here, Monday.
The NHEF had raised, begining March last year, the loan amount for studies at private institutions of higher education from a maximum of RM5,000 a year for diploma courses to RM8,000 and for a first degree (medical) course from a maximum of RM20,000 to a maximum of RM30,000, he said.
Khaled said the Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship quantum for studies locally whether for diploma or first degree had also been raised begining Sept 2007.
"The quantum makes the cost of living allowance between RM535 and RM630 for diploma courses and between RM595 and RM770 for first degree courses, that is an increase of 80 per cent compared to the earlier figures," he said.
He said the cost of living allowance amount was considered to be fair for students' daily need on a moderate scale as the course fees had been borne by the sponsors.
"Further the students are given equipment allowance and book allowance each year," he said.
On the ranking of local universities with world universities, Mohamed Khaled said it could not be denied there were differences between the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings (THE-QS WUR) system and national social demands.
"If we want to follow 100 per cent the criteria set by THE-QS WUR it would be difficult because the number of international students and lectures had to be high and the number of students encouraged to work in multinational companies also needed to be high.
"European universities, for example, are of the view that the THE-QS WUR evaluation need not be considered fully as there are other ranking systems that are better," Mohamed Khaled said.
He said the primary purpose for the setting up of institutions of higher education was for such institutions to develop civilization and universities also had social and academic responsibilities.
"These differences have to be handled well so that we do not shirk our responsibilities to the people," he said.
-- BERNAMA
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