MALAYSIAN STUDENTS RESIGNED TO RETURNING TO PADANG TO CONTINUE STUDIES

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 10 (ANTARA/Bernama) - "We have no choice but to go back to Padang, since we have invested huge amounts to do medicine in Universiti Andalas (Unand)," Malaysian students of the university said in dealing with their dilemma as to where to pursue their studies following the earthquake disaster that struck West Sumatra recently.

The students had to make the decision when a report by Bernama on Thursday (Oct 8), said the university's deputy dean Prof Dr Eryati Darwin had appealed for all the 323 Malaysian students at it to return by Oct 19, following which the Minister of Higher Education, Mohamed Khaled Nordin told them they had to decide for themselves on the matter.

For year four medical student in Unand, Suresh Rao Sandubaboo, 23, he has to return to Padang because he is bonded by a scholarship from the Public Service Department.

"My parents have spent so much and I am under scholarship, thus it is not easy to re-apply and transfer credits to a new college," he said when contacted by Bernama.

Suresh said it was necessary for him to return and be ready to forget the trauma of the disaster.

Meanwhile, Milfasari Muzamil, 19, said he had purchased an air ticket to Padang for Oct 18 considering that his parents had spent RM80,000 to support his first year fee at the university.

Similarly, Shangeetha Krishnan, 18, will return on Oct 19 for the same reason, her parents had invested more than RM30,000 for her to pursue medicine.

On the other hand, Marwiza Abdul Ghani, 23 who is on a Mara loan of RM300,000, however, has to wait for Mara's decision to know her status.

"When I contacted Mara Thursday, I was told to wait because Mara has not made a decision on the matter," she said.

Marwiza said she was hoping that Mara would allow her back since she had only one semester left before graduating in medicine.

Malaysian students in Padang were flown home on Oct 2 following the deadly earthquake that struck Padang on Sept 30. (US$1=RM3.40).

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