Institutions expecting fewer foreign students

PETALING JAYA: Private higher education institutions (IPTS) are not expecting a huge influx of foreign students despite them being allowed to return to Malaysia since the beginning of the month.

National Association of Private Educational Institutions president Assoc Prof Elajsolan Mohan said they were expecting fewer students coming into the country compared with previous years as the daily number of new Covid-19 cases remained above 1,000.

“Many foreign students who are coming in for the first time may monitor the situation in Malaysia before making any decision, ” he told The Star.

“Many parents are reluctant to send their children to Malaysia and would like to continue online for the next few months.”

He said IPTS had been receiving fewer applications from foreign students compared with intakes before the pandemic hit early last year.

Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) chief executive officer Mohd Radzlan Jalaludin said they had yet to receive any applications since the announcement was made, though EMGS had received about 30,000 new applications for courses in local higher education institutions as of Dec 31.

“We will work with all relevant authorities to ensure that inbound students abide by the standard operating procedure set by the authorities. Our target is to have 250,000 students here by 2025, ” he said.Foreign students studying in private education centres were allowed to enter Malaysia from Jan 1.Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said student entry to Malaysia would be managed by EMGS and follow guidelines stipulated by the National Security Council, Immigration Department and National Disaster Management Agency.

“Students are to obtain their visa from the Immigration Department and must undergo screening for Covid-19 three days before coming to Malaysia, ” he said on Dec 24.

They are to be screened again upon arrival in Malaysia and will be sent to undergo quarantine and government designated stations.