Masters, PhD Students Allowed To Resume Academic Activities

PUTRAJAYA, May 17 (Bernama) -- Post-graduate students in research modes such as Masters and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are allowed to resume their academic activities. Senior Minister (Security Cluster) Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the Special Ministerial Committee meeting on the Movement Control Order (MCO) had approved the proposal presented by the Higher Education Ministry (KPT) on the management of academic activities on campus during and post-MCO. "This involves 31,503 students at 462 institutions of higher learning (IPT) who have to do physical research in laboratories, workshops and design studios because they need specialised equipment," he told a daily media briefing here Sunday. On reports that there were private schools intending to open school session during the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) period, Ismail Sabri said all schools were not allowed to operate. "Even international schools, if they open in Malaysia, they have to comply with the laws of our country and not one school is allowed to open," he said. He added that the Education Ministry would investigate the matter and if there were any private or international schools operating during the CMCO, they would be directed to close. On Malaysians with permanent resident status abroad, Ismail Sabri said currently only one-way trip allowed for those who were stranded in Malaysia to return to the country they reside in. "But we do not allow them (Malaysians with permanent resident status abroad) to return to our country until the CMCO is lifted," he said. -- BERNAMA