RM2.7bil to promote post-graduate studies

PUTRAJAYA: The Government has allocated RM2.68bil over the 10th Malaysia Plan period to promote post-graduate studies through three sponsorship programmes within the country: masters degrees (MyMaster), doctorate degrees (MyPhD) and Industrial PhDs.

Applications opened yesterday for the three programmes, which will complement the Higher Learning Academic Training Scheme (SLAI).

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said from now till 2015, the Government was targeting 5,000 MyPhD graduates, 40,000 MyMaster graduates and 500 Industrial PhDs.

The targets are set under the SLAI programme, which intends to produce 18,500 PhD holders over the same period, he told reporters after launching the three programmes at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre here yesterday.

He said currently the number of PhD holders in the country was 12,096, while the enrolment for PhD studies was 16,947.

Earlier in his speech, Mohd Khaled said the sponsorship programmes would determine the success of the ministry’s MyBrain15 programme to produce 48,000 PhD holders by 2020 and 60,000 PhD holders by 2023, or under the 12th Malaysia Plan.

“The strength of the MyBrain15 plan was that it was not confined to just the participation of academic staff at higher learning institutons but also the involvement of those who wish to continue their studies, particularly for the PhD,” he said.

Information on the sponsorsip can be obtained at the ministry’s website at www.mohe.gov.my/MyBrain15.

Source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/2/nation/7540643&sec=nation