Useful Malaysian Link

7th May 2003

                                    
The MMA is very concerned about the sudden influx of Malaysian students
                                    to pursue medical education overseas, despite the fact that there have been numerous articles in the print media stating that
                                    students without minimum requirements are attempting to pursue medical studies. 
                                    
The MMA held two meetings along with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of
                                    Education, the embassies and all agents offering medical seats. After the last meeting in April 2003, we have decided on the
                                    following : 
                                    

                                    

                                    
                                    
The embassies issuing visas to Malaysian students will ensure the minimum
                                    qualifications in SPM and STPM, or its equivalent, A-level, matriculation, etc. are met. About 25 students have been rejected
                                    by the Russian and Ukraine embassies since they do not have the required qualifications. 
                                    
                                    
All students who intend to pursue Medicine can seek advice from the Department
                                    of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. Over the last 2 years, 153 students have visited this Department. The contact
                                    number is 03-2098 3434 (Office of the Director of Higher Education). 
                                    
                                    
Advertisements of oversease medical colleges should not be misleading.
                                    The agents were warned that stern action would be taken by the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs in such cases.
                                    The public should not be deceived by sub-agents who only advertise giving their phone numbers. Five medical colleges in Russia,
                                    namely, the Moscow Medical Academy, Russian State Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod Medical Academy, Volgograd State Medical
                                    Academy and Kursk State Medical University are recognized by JPA (Jabatan Pentadbiran Awam) and the MMC. Only limited recognition
                                    is given by the General Medical Council, U.K., wherein a qualified student has to pass the PLAB exam before seeking employment
                                    in U.K. The Crimea State Medical University of Ukraine is the only one recognized by JPA and MMC allowing employment in Malaysia.
                                    
                                    
                                    
Till 20th April 2003, there were 5 registered agents for Crimea State
                                    Medical University and 2 for the 5 Russian medical colleges. The public can check with the respective embassies on the validity
                                    of the agents. The annual fees of all the six medical colleges are fixed and the amount can be checked with the respective
                                    embassies. 
                                    
                                    
With regards to the 268 students with SPM qualification who are doing
                                    pre-medical or matriculation studies in Russia and Ukraine, the embassies assured the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education
                                    and the MMA of the proper selection of students with minimum qualifications. The MMA has requested for the list of names of
                                    all students, with their qualifications, who are doing pre-medical studies in these 2 countries, so that a proper checking
                                    system will allay fears of unqualified students pursuing medical studies. 
                                    Very soon the MMA will have a meeting with the Ministry of Health to ensure
                                    the quality of students who are pursuing Medicine in Russia, Ukraine, Indonesia, Taiwan and other countries. We also intend
                                    to form a Complaints Bureau after the meeting of all parties concerned. In August or September 2003, the MMA will be conducting
                                    the 2nd Symposium on Medical Education Overseas and in Malaysia to sort out major issues and assess the quality of students
                                    pursuing medical education overseas as well as submit recommendations to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.
                                    
                                    
Contact person for the Russian embassy is : 
                                    
Mr Nikolay Savenkov
First Secretary of the Russian Embassy & Director
                                    of Russian Centre for Science & Culture
Tel. No. : 03-2144 4001 
                                    
Note : 
                                    
a) A total of 688 Malaysian students (which includes 100 government sponsored
                                    students - JPA are pursuing medical studies in the 5 colleges in Russia). 
                                    
b) About 118 Malaysian students are doing pre-medical course in Russia.
                                    
                                    
c) About 18 Malaysian students have qualified and working here. 
                                    
Contact person for Embassy of Ukraine : 
                                    
Mr Serhii Kuzmenko
First Secretary
Tel. No. : 03-2166 4373 
                                    
Note : 
                                    
a) 545 Malaysian students are pursuing Medicine in Crimea State Medical
                                    University in Ukraine 
                                    
b) 150 Malaysian students are doing pre-medical courses 
                                    
c) 12 Malaysian students have qualified and working in Malaysia.