Underprivileged Malay-Indian students to get educational aid

Ipoh (Malaysia), July 4 (ANI): In a bid to provide study assistance to underprivileged Malay Indian students, the Parek government in Malaysia has decided to include three private colleges in their list of colleges and universities, which are eligible for educational aid.

Earlier, a large number of Malay-Indian students could not afford to study in the three institutes of higher learning-Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST), and TAFE College-as they were deprived of assistance from the state government.

"The three colleges were not included in the list and as such, the students from the community faced financial difficulties to enrol in courses," the New Strait Times quoted Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir, as saying.

"We do not discriminate. The students can be from any race but they would receive the aid if they meet all the conditions, including their family financial background," he said after a meeting with Perak MIC officials here yesterday.

The educational aid was among several issues discussed during the meeting.

"We asked the state government to include TAFE and AIMST as a large number of Indian students applied to study in the two colleges," Perak MIC chairman G. Rajoo said.

"We are happy that Zambry has considered the plight of the poor Indian students and happy that the state government has agreed to give out the aid to students to enrol in the three colleges which would lessen the financial burden of the families," he added. (ANI)