SHOCK closure of Syed Mokhtar's university leaves staff in a QUANDRY

ALOR STAR - The fate of more than 100 staff and lecturers of Albukhary International University (AiU), here is in the balance following the imminent closure of the university by June.

The university, which was established in 1996 by Kedah-born tycoon and philanthropist Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Albukhary and is fully funded by his Albukhary foundation, has been providing free education to local and foreign students.

Sources said staff and lecturers were briefed on the possible closure during a gathering last week and were advised to start looking for new jobs elsewhere.

Insiders were tight-lipped on the reason for the impending closure but they admitted they were informed of the June deadline.

"The AiU staff were informed that the management would pay them compensation according to labour law, but at the same time, they were advised to start sending out their resume," said a source.

No reason given

A staff with the university, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there were some 600 students at AiU, comprising local and foreign students, including non-Muslims.

"We do not know much about the reason to cease operation but we were given ample time to find new jobs should the management decide to proceed with the plan to shutdown the university by June."

It is learnt AiU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tan Sri Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, who assumed the post after retiring as Universiti Sains Malaysia Vice-Chancellor several years ago, had vacated the post sometime in the middle of last year.

Its deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Emeritus Datuk Omar Farouk Sheikh Ahmad, who was abroad when contacted by the New Straits Times, said the matter should be referred to its registrar's office.

AiU's registrar, Norpisah Mat Isa, who declined to comment as the university management was ironing out "several key issues", said the university would issue an official statement on its status at a later date, but did not specify the time frame.

"We will make an official announcement after we complete the whole process regarding the matter," said Norpisah, who was in Kuala Lumpur attending a meeting.

Charity

The university offers three programmes, including Foundation and Bachelor Degree programmes at its School of Business and School of Information and Communications Technology.

Most of the teaching staff are locals.

AiU students are not charged any tuition fees and are given full scholarships as the university is fully funded by the foundation under a waqf (eternally charitable) concept.

Priority is given to students from the poor, disadvantaged, underprivileged or marginalised backgrounds.

Checks on AiU's official website yesterday showed its admission and application pages were suspended for maintenance. - NST