Maszlee calls govt to help private universities survive Covid-19

 

Simpang Renggam MP Maszlee Malik is asking the government to help private higher education institutions survive in the face of challenges that come with Covid-19.

According to the former education minister, most private higher education institutions experienced reduced student admission during the pandemic.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has challenged the survival of private higher education institutions who were mostly hit by the crisis due to reduced new student admissions especially international admissions which form their main source of income.

"These bitter and unusual circumstances require an unconventional approach to ensure quality education at the tertiary level will continue to be sustainable in spite of the pandemic," he said at a press conference in Parliament today.

Maszlee suggested measures to strike a balance between ensuring the survival of private higher education institutions and student welfare.

The measures include government-subsidised fees for students from B40 and M40 families (bottom and middle 40 percent of income earners) who are enrolled in private higher education institutions.

Apart from that, he also asked for a two-year tax break until the situation improves, given that the private higher education sector is an important industry for the country.

“(The government) should also provide visa waivers and reduced visa payments to EMGS (Education Malaysia Global Services) for international students who registered online, and study online at any university, whether public or private in this pandemic, until they arrive in Malaysia,” he said. - Mkini