100 Malaysian government scholarships for women

A joint scholarship between the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Malaysian government was launched on 23 September 2016 to help women in war-torn countries.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir said that RM15 million has been allocated under the scholarship.

He said the students who will be assisted are from Syria, Yemen and Palestine to continue their studies in fields such as civil engineering, counseling, economic, medical, law and information technology.

"It is the government's continuous efforts in providing assistance to the people in Islamic countries affected by conflict.

"They are the children of the Syrian people who have been in this country and they are qualified to be brought from abroad.

"They will be sponsored by the university until they graduate," he said.

WISE organized by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) in collaboration with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), OIC and Islamic World Forum.

Present at the ceremony were his deputy Datuk Ashraf Wajdi IIUM Dusuki and Reactors, Datuk Seri Zaleha Kamarudin.

Jamil Khir said the funds for the scholarship is sponsored by all public universities in the country.

Meanwhile Zaleha said IIUM is the secretariat to scholarships in Malaysia and so far 11 students have been awarded scholarships to help cover the fees and daily spending money during their studies.

He hoped that more OIC member states hold similar efforts in their respective countries.

"Turkey is among the countries that have expressed their willingness to continue the scholarship program and targeted about 1,000 female students can be helped within the next 10 years," he said.