Education fund to assist Malaysian students in Egypt - Idris

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh launched an education fund for Malaysian students to help Malaysian students facing financial difficulties in Egypt.

Idris said the contributions received through the fund which is an initiative of the ministry together with the Federation of Peninsular Malay Students (GPMS) focuses on students who excelled in their studies but lacked financial capability.

"GPMS will go through the financial cases of our students in Egypt, including reasons for their tuition arrears and their studies before disbursing the contributions.

"Aid will be also be given to graduates who have failed to settle the arrears in tuition fees," he said after launching the fund at Jalan Ampang, here today.

The media had reported that 150 Malaysian students in Egypt faced the threat of termination following their failure to pay tuition fees amounting to nearly RM4.5 million in total.

Meanwhile, GPMS president Zambri Mohd Isa said they had recently visited Malaysian students in Egypt and found that 662 medical, dentistry and pharmacy students from eight major universities needed financial aid to complete their studies.

From the visit, GPMS also found that the total outstanding tuition fees could reach RM21 million, with an average cost of RM33,000 a year.

Zambri urged students who needed assistance to apply through the GPMS website.

Members of the public who are keen to help, can channel their contributions through Bank Islam account (14162011001958), Bank Simpanan Nasional (1410041000271292) or via online donations at https://gpms.org.my/tabungmesir.