PSG MEDICAL INSTITUTE FORAYS INTO MALAYSIA

CHENNAI, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- With an increasing number of Malaysian students pursuing medical courses in India, another South India-based institute is making its foray into Malaysia.

The Coimbatore-based PSG Institute of Medical Sciences is negotiating with
the
Malaysian Government to launch its twining programme by middle of the year.

"We have submitted a proposal to the Malaysian Government to start twinning
programme on the lines of Kasturbai Medical College in Manipal, which runs such
a programme.

"We have sought permission for a multiple academic programme as we are
pioneers
in various fields of education. We are awaiting permission from them," PSG
medical institute principal Dr A. Ramalingam told Bernama.

The 78-year-old college, reputed for its arts, sciences and medical
programmes,
is located about 450km from here.

With nearly 1,000-strong teaching staff and up to 16,000 students under its
wing, PSG has been a pioneer in education in South India.

"Since the college is to start its first medical programme, the Malaysian
Medical Council (MMC) is expected to pay an inspection visit to our campus.

"Only after the MMC visit, will we decide on the number of students," he
added.

PSG will be the third Indian institute, after Melaka-Manipal Medical College
and Penang International Dental College (PIDC), to start medical twining
programmes in Malaysia.

Currently, about 1,400 Malaysian students are studying across India, mainly
pursing medical and dental courses.

(Footnote: PSG refers to the founder of the college, P. S. Govindaswamy
Naidu)

-- BERNAMA