JPA scholarship controversy: student who aims to study law assigned to university without law programme

 

Sin Chew Daily, 18 Mac 2016

(Kuala Lumpur, 17 Mac) The saga involving Public Services Department scholarship, also known as JPA scholarship continue to unfold as a student complained on his Facebook posting that the alternative plan offered by the government is not complete. The university and government officers are also equally laid back. Students who intend to pursue law studies have no place to go and are deeply disappointed.

The Netizen, known as Thomas Tan, said he has planned to apply for Bursary scholarship to study overseas. After knowing that the government has stopped giving overseas scholarships, he accepted the alternative arrangement of studying in local universities. However, he is upset that the authorities do not allocate him an appropriate school for students studying law.

Insist on MUET certificate

In his posting, he said:” According to the list of universities under social science, only two universities offer law studies by accepting A level. That is University of Malaya (UM) and Multimedia University (MMU). However, these two universities list MUET as one of the criteria for application. We have prepared for entry requirements of foreign universities.”

“We do not expect the government would suddenly stop offering overseas scholarship. We have sat for IELTS or TOEFL but not MUET. Now if we are to sit for MUET it will be after the deadline of the application to the university. In other words, it is impossible for us to sit for the test before the deadline of university application in April. Malaysia examination board has set MUET in March, July and November.”

He tried to call to different departments of the university asking for help but was trapped between the school and JPA officers who pass the buck to each other. In return, he is repeatedly disappointed.

“All the answers centre on insisting on MUET result.”, “Since you can’t do law, then try other studies”. Some officers even told them “If you can’t make it this year, then wait for next year!”

A point worth taking note is JPA scholarship application requires the student to complete with all application procedures in one year. If the student is unable to be admitted by the end of this year, the authorities would no longer offer them scholarships.

He is disappointed and said: “Judging from the entire process, I do not see any genuine effort of the government in assisting the students. I am also upset by the efficiency of the government departments. We can accept the fact that overseas scholarships are revoked. The government has its duty to offer another set of comprehensive strategy and not to be playing fool with our future!”