ISKANDAR PUTERI: Will the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) study loans be extended to Malaysians studying abroad?
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, when probed, remained non-committal and said the matter would have to be tabled in Parliament first were it to become reality.
The proposal to extend the study loans to Malaysians studying abroad came from Puteri Umno at the recent Umno General Assembly, as a means of helping students cope with expenses. Puteri chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the idea was mooted the idea after feedback from numerous student groups.
Idris, in response, said the matter will need to undergo proper procedures as the policy for disbursing student loans falls under the PTPTN Act 1997.
“This is something that needs to be tabled in Parliament because the policy is governed by the PTPTN Act 1997. If we want to make the PTPTN (loans) also applicable to Malaysians studying abroad, the Act needs to be amended first.
"The current provision only states that Malaysian students are allowed to apply and obtain PTPTN loans if they study in Malaysia," said Idris.
The minister however noted that under the existing terms, the collection rate from PTPTN loan recipients have improved over the last two years.
“In 2015, repayment for PTPTN loans was recorded at RM1 billion. This amount increased to RM3.4 billion last year, and the corporation is expected to collect more than RM4 billion this year," he said.
Idris was speaking to reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding for industrial training involving MMC Corporation and the Johor Polytechnic Education Department at the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP), here today.
Under the MoU, around 100 students from Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan are expected to benefit from practical training placements at PTP. The programme is expected to further enhance the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) field.
Vocational education, said Idris, is no longer regarded as a second choice for students as skilled workers are now highly sought-after in the workforce.