Malaysia, a magnet for international students

 

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PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has the potential to attract more international students due to its quality education and affordable cost of living.

Malaysian Association of Private Colleges and Universities (Mapcu) president Datuk Parmjit Singh said factors that encourage students to study in Malaysia include the availability of high quality education programmes system delivered by universities with a strong international outlook and well-developed campuses and facilities.

“Tuition fees are relatively lower... (The same goes for the) living cost in Malaysia,” he said, adding that Malaysia also offers a student-friendly social ecosystem to provide the sort of lifestyle sought by international students.

“The tightening of regulations for international students is happening in a few countries, with some mainly due to shortages of accommodation in these countries.

ALSO READ: Growing worry over rising cost of studying overseas

“This does present opportunities for Malaysia to attract those students who are now unable to study in countries such as Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada.

“However, factors such as opportunities to work while studying and more inclusive post-study work opportunities – all of which are available to international students in those countries – may need to be enhanced in order to encourage these students to select Malaysia as a preferred alternative destination,” said Parmjit, who is also Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)chief executive officer (CEO).

Vice-Chancellors’ Council for Private Universities chairman Prof Mushtak Al-Atabi said in order to attract international students to our shores, Malaysia should make itself a more accessible destination.

“There are multiple countries in the region that are competing with Malaysia to be the regional education hub,” said Prof Mushtak, who is also Heriot-Watt University Malaysia provost and CEO.

National Association of Private Educational Institutions secretary-general Dr Teh Choon Jin said it is important for Malaysia to maintain a good reputation in terms of treatment of international students or foreigners in order to entice students to come here.

ALSO READ: INTERACTIVE: How the jobs mismatch may derail Malaysia’s drive to become a high-income nation

“If there is any negative report of ill treatment of foreigners, it may discourage potential international students from pursuing their studies in Malaysia,” he said.

Dr Teh also said these students may face challenges in finding employment opportunities in Malaysia after graduation as there are limited numbers for international graduates, compared to those in countries with more robust job markets.

On the plus side, Malaysia offers great cost savings due to the ringgit’s exchange rate being low compared with countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada and the United States, he added.

Malaysia’s location in South-East Asia with good connectivity to other countries within the region and those beyond the region also makes it an attractive destination to experience Asia, Dr Teh said.

He added that the nation is perceived as a safe country, Muslim-friendly and has a wide variety of food catering to different needs.

“Malaysia has relatively straightforward visa regulations compared to some other countries, making it easier for students to obtain study visas,” said Teh, who is also APU registrar.

Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) CEO Novie Tajuddin said the number of international students coming to Malaysia has been increasing over the years.

He said the principal body that manages the movement of international students in Malaysia, including facilitating visa processing, had received 65,207 applications by the end of 2023.

This is a huge increase compared with 10,453 applications in 2020.

“Malaysia is attractive to international students as (the living cost in the country) is affordable... The people are (also) friendly, and we are advanced in terms of transnational education,” he said when contacted.

“EMGS continues to promote our education, opening the door for new areas, looking into existing policy and working closely with the Higher Education Ministry and to work with other relevant ministries,”

Novie stressed.He also posited that the country could benefit from the tightening of regulations governing international students in other countries such as Canada, Australia and the UK.

Novie highlighted that Malaysia offers a graduate pass for students from 25 countries, including Brunei, Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Australia.

This year, he said, China and India were added to the list of countries that offer the pass.

“The graduate pass allows international students to stay for a year after completing their study.

“In this time, they can go on vacation, progress to the next study level or work in Malaysia,” he added.

The graduate pass is a long-term social visit pass that allows holders to gain multiple entries into the country.

The said pass is offered to international graduates who have completed their degree programmes at local universities and other higher education institutes

Source link:.https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/10/a-magnet-for-international-students

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China’s up on human rights

Majority of countries affirm China's human rights progress ...

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China's human rights record to be examined by Universal 

ON Jan 26 this year, China’s human rights report was unanimously adopted by the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group for the fourth cycle. More than 120 countries spoke highly of China’s remarkable achievements and unremitting efforts in human rights protection.

The concept of “human rights” became known from the West, yet its essential ideas have long existed in Chinese political culture. It was fully embodied in the long-cherished “people-being-first-of-all” political principle.

In the Book of Documents, one of China’s oldest classics written 3,000 years ago, it is written that “People are the foundation of a country. Only when people lead a good life can the country thrive.”

Mencius, the famous Chinese ancient sage, said the same thing: “People are the most important; the state is secondary.”

Since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, priority has been given to ensuring and safeguarding the human rights of all Chinese citizens. Seeing both the global trend and China’s unique situation, the Chinese government has successfully pioneered its own way of advancing human rights protection and made historic achievements in various fields.

The following are three major principles. People are always at the centre. President Xi Jinping said: “... to ensure all Chinese people a life of contentment is China’s most weighty human right.”

After eight years of painstaking efforts, China has successfully alleviated nearly 100 million people out of poverty, putting an end to its centuries-long absolute poverty history.

This is an achievement not only for the Chinese people but also, more importantly, a victory for mankind as a whole. By realising the poverty reduction aim of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 10 years ahead of time, China has contributed significantly to global poverty reduction and progress in human development.

China has made solid progress in advancing high-quality development and established the world’s largest education, social security and healthcare systems, bringing tangible benefits to people of all ethnic groups.

Human rights are equally enjoyed by all. China is as diverse and as multiethnic as Malaysia. There are 56 ethnic groups living on this vast land. Like seeds of a pomegranate hugging each other closely, people of different ethnic groups in China love and support each other as brothers and sisters do in one big family.

Big or small, all ethnic groups in China enjoy equal social status. Their rights and benefits are legally stipulated and protected, and freedom of religion is ensured to everyone.

Recent years have seen additional “Outlines for Women’s and Children’s Development” adopted, and “Law on the Protection of Women’s Rights and Interests” amended to further promote gender equality and all-around development of women and children in China.

The physically underprivileged in China are also given proper support with their medical, educational, occupational and spiritual needs.

In upholding the principles of fairness and justice, China has been cooperating with other countries in the UN Human Rights Council and other multilateral organisations.

China has facilitated the adoption of a series of major international human rights conventions and declarations, and shared its wisdom with the rest of the world by proposing the vision of “building a community with a shared future for mankind”. This vision has been incorporated into a number of UN Human Rights Council resolutions.

Besides conducting human rights dialogues with Malaysia and 30 other countries or regions, China has been promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields to promote human rights protection.

China has proposed the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative, which are Chinese solutions to addressing the global concerns of development deficits, security predicament and civilisational alienation.

Human rights are not abstract terms. They are specific in denotation, achievable in practical form and evolve with history. There are no fixed standards or one-fits-all models. Therefore, every country’s human rights development path should be allowed and respected, and success or failure can only be judged by its own people.

By undertaking Chinese-style modernisation, China is steadily advancing its cause of national rejuvenation to make it a stronger and more prosperous country.

China will bring better equitability to all its people and promote human rights protection to new heights.

Malaysia is also a diverse and inclusive society protecting human rights under the rule of law. As a good neighbour and close partner, China is willing to work with Malaysia in various fields to jointly contribute to the advancement of human rights development in both the region and the world.

Article 1 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” I believe that with the collective efforts of all, these common aspirations of humankind will eventually become a reality.

By OUYANG YUJING Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia

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New thinking on human rights & cooperation

New thinking on human rights

Caution – extreme weather ahead (Poll Inside), Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

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Throwing ‘shade’ on UV levels

 Authorities on standby, public urged to stay alert as inter-monsoon period begins

PETALING JAYA: As Malaysia enters the inter-monsoon period, authorities have advised the public to take the necessary precautions to stay safe.

Amid occurrences of heavy rain and strong winds, Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said the public has to be fully alert to changes in the weather.

“Avoid being near water bodies for the time being,” he said, adding that the inter-monsoon period could cause water surges.

ALSO READ: From heatwave to wet days – but El Nino effects to stay longer

“The strong winds and rainfall from the inter-monsoon can also cause tree branches to break; hence, the public should avoid being in areas or park their vehicles where there are trees with high-canopy loads, such as raintrees,” he said when contacted.

Nor Hisham added that instructions have been issued for his department’s officers to patrol recreational areas, especially those near water bodies.

On preparations for the coming Hari Raya celebrations, he said the department will be on standby with the police at locations across the North-South Expressway, East Coast Expressway Phase 1 (LPT 1), and East Coast Expressway Phase 2 (LPT 2).

He added that 30% of the department staff’s leave has been frozen.

ALSO READ: Long wait for rain finally ends

Civil Defence Force (APM) Assistant Commissioner (PA) Sharudin Md Zain said all APM operation centres nationwide have been on standby since March 29, when the inter-monsoon began.

He said some 154 cases of fallen trees were recorded from March 29-31.

This marked a more than threefold increase in the number of cases compared with the same period last year, said Sharudin.

“This stark increase is due to the heavy rain and strong winds that occur in the later parts of the day,” he said, adding that 874 snakes were also caught between March 29 and March 31.

ALSO READ: Throwing ‘shade’ on UV levels

Sharudin, who is the APM disaster management and operations director, also advised the public to take the necessary precautions before carrying out outdoor recreational activities.

“Plan for the location and prepare an emergency kit. Always monitor the situation there and inform the nearest police station of your route and activities planned.

“Check the trees when you are having outdoor activities, and make sure the grounds don’t show signs of erosion.

ALSO READ: Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

“Also take note that your camping site may be a habitat for wild animals,” he said, adding that the public should call 999 in case of emergencies.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said heavy rainfall and strong winds can potentially occur during the inter-monsoon period, especially during later parts of the day.

“These weather conditions have the potential to cause thunderstorms, uproot trees and cause structural damage,” it said in a statement.

Malaysia’s transition to the inter-monsoon period marked the end of the northeast monsoon, which began on Nov 11 last year.

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Uptick in heat stroke, UV and other weather dangers

Beating the heat: A man cooling down at a fountain on a hot day in Kuala Lumpur in this file photo. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star

JOHOR BARU: Three men in Johor have suffered from heat stroke, says state executive councillor Ling Tian Soon.

The Johor health and environment committee chairman said the cases occurred during the heatwave from January to March.

“One of the victims suffered from heat stroke while hiking. The other two victims are an army trainee and an oil palm estate worker.

“Two are currently hospitalised and one required outpatient treatment. Their condition has since stabilised,” he said when interviewed here yesterday.

He advised the public to continuously take precautionary measures as the Meteorological Department of Malaysia (MetMalaysia) recorded high temperatures ranging from 35°C to 37°C in districts like Muar, Tangkak and Segamat in the past three days.

Ling said in addition to the hot weather, Johor is currently in the monsoon transition stage, so rainfall may increase.

“During this time, it is usually hotter in the morning until afternoon. There will be a short period of rainfall in the late afternoon and evening, which could cause flash floods and strong winds.

“MetMalaysia also forecast average levels of rainfall from April until July,” he added.

Asked to comment on an advisory issued by Singapore’s National Environment Agency about extreme levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, Ling said the situation in Johor was still manageable.

On March 28, a Singapore English daily reported that the UV index in the city-state first entered the extreme band at about 12.15pm on March 27, with a reading of 11. It climbed to a high of 12 at about 12.45pm.

The UV index describes the level of solar UV radiation at the earth’s surface, and the maximum reading is 15.

Ling said the matter did not arise when he chaired the Johor environment action committee on Sunday, which was also attended by the state Environment Department and MetMalaysia.

However, he advised the public to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun.

Ling said if this is unavoidable, they should wear sunscreen, long sleeves or use an umbrella for protection.

“For those fasting, I urge them to hydrate themselves after breaking fast until their sahur (pre-dawn meal) to avoid dehydration,” he said.

After scorching heat for about two months, Sabah is finally experiencing light rainfall in several parts of the state.

Drizzle from three-day cloud seeding over Papar, Lahad Datu and Tawau were reported over the past few days.

Areas like Sandakan, Nabawan, Penampang and around Kota Kinabalu also saw light rain. It is unclear whether this was due to cloud seeding or other natural phenomena, but the state Meteorological Department reported a 67% success rate from the cloud-seeding exercise.

Meteorologists also forecast the current dry spell to lift with the setting in of the inter-monsoon season this month.

Sabah Meteorological Department director Amirzudi Hashim said the period is expected to continue until May.

“During this season, the country will receive weak winds, resulting in thunderstorms, heavy rain and strong winds that will only last a while,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He said these conditions often occur in the evening or early in the night in the west and interior parts of Peninsular Malaysia, west coast of Sabah as well as south and central Sarawak.

Amirzudi warned the public of flash floods, fallen trees and the destruction of unstable structures.

“The hot and dry spell is forecast to slowly improve by mid-April,” he said

Crowdsignal.com

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