Government sponsored students overseas not affected by lower ringgit, says minister

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim says overseas students sponsored by the government will not be affected by the depreciation of the ringgit. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, March 30, 2015.

The depreciation of the ringgit does not affect the tuition fees and living costs of overseas students sponsored by the government, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

He said all the sponsored students had been receiving their allowances in the currencies of the country in which they were studying while their tuition fees were paid directly by the government to the education institutions.

"Due to the government's concerns, a review on the allowance rates given to the students is constantly conducted from time to time.

"This is to ensure the allowances provided are aligned with the living cost by taking into consideration the rising costs of tuition fees, transportation and accommodation," he told a media conference at the Parliament lobby today.

He said the government had conducted a study from 2012 to 2014 to review the rate of allowances for the sponsored students in three countries, namely the United Kingdom, New Zealand and India.

Through the study, a new rate had been approved by the Finance Ministry after taking into account the government's current financial resources.

"We want to ensure the welfare of these students are well taken care of and maintained," he said. – Bernama

- TMI