PUTRAJAYA, 17 March 2009: The Higher Education Ministry has received 16 applications to pursue doctorate degree under a special scheme announced in the second stimulus package last week.
Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said no applications received for the master’s degree so far.
There was no closing date for the programme but candidates would have to fulfil the stipulated criteria before their applications could be considered, he added.
“The programme will go on until the number is filled. I believe the number is sufficient,” he told reporters after tabling the progress report of the Second National Higher Education Strategic Plan here today.
Under the stimulus package tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, the government would provide a fund of RM20,000 each to students pursuing doctorate degree and RM10,000 for the master’s degree.
Some 500 places would be provided for the doctorate degree and 10,000 for the master’s degree.
Khaled urged students to take advantage of the programme.
He also hoped that more students would apply for scholarships to become academic staff in universities.
There would also be new programmes to be implemented within the next six months to strengthen teaching and learning in universities and polytechnics under the strategic plan, he said.
He said the ministry would also submit the tentative structure of the soon-to-be set up Malaysian Research Institute, which is aimed at assisting all centres of excellence to carry out research and development. — Bernama
