NILAI, Sept 19 — The Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) has not issued any directive prohibiting public higher learning institutions (IPTA) from participating in programmes organised by opposition-led state governments.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said MOHE welcomes programmes that add value and empower universities and students, but they must abide by the rules.
“As far as I know, we have never imposed such a ban. If students want to participate, they have to abide by the rules and ask for permission,” he told reporters after opening the community colleges’ commemoration ceremony today.
He was commenting on a statement by state Industry and Investment, Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Prof Haim Hilman Abdullah, who asked about an alleged ban on IPTA participation in programmes organised by the Kedah government.
Meanwhile, Yusof said the MOHE is committed to strengthening community colleges across the country so the institutions can empower the local community.
To strengthen technical and vocational education, the ministry has introduced a micro-credit programme in three community colleges in Pasir Gudang, Segamat and Bandar Penawar in Johor Bahru as a pilot project.
The programme will be expanded to other community colleges, including in Sabah and Sarawak, he said.
He also said MOHE will investigate an allegation about the zero-balance policy that was doing its rounds on social media yesterday.
The allegation was that every student is required to pay in full semester fees before being allowed to enrol in a local public university.
— Bernama
