MAJORITY OF MALAYSIAN STUDENTS RETURN TO PADANG

By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

JAKARTA, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- About 60 per cent of the 329 Malaysian students
of Universiti Andalas (UNAND), Padang have returned to campus to continue their
studies, since an earthquake with a 7.9 magnitude struck on Sept 30.

Indonesia's Malaysian Students Department director Dr Junaidi Abu
Bakar said they comprised 25 final-year students who completed their practical
training, as well as 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students.

He said that most of the damaged infrastructure was restored and that 80 per
cent of the campus facilities could be used," he told Bernama here Sunday.

He said the university would always welcome the students back with open
arms.

"The university authorities have given an assurance that they would help
students, in terms of replacement classes and finding new accomodation," said
Junaidi, adding that most of the remaining students in Malaysia were still
traumatised by the incident.

"The students need to quickly make a decision so that they do not fall
behind in their studies.

"They have been given a choice to return to UNAND or apply to Malaysian
universities on self-sponsorship," he said.

-- BERNAMA