UM Academy Of Islamic Studies Will Not Close

Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has denied that University Malaya's Academy of Islamic Studies at Nilam Puri here will be closed.

He said instead, the UM management and the ministry, want to improve the academy which has not only served Islamic scholars well but has its own history in Kelantan.

It include expanding the academy's functions to produce students who can master the Arabic language to equip them for studies at Al-Azhar University in Egypt.

"The academy can provide Arabic courses in collaboration with Al Azhar University which only admit students who pass the Arabic language," he said after giving a motivational talk to students of SM Sains Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra here Tuesday.

Saifuddin said currently students who do not master Arabic have to take a two year language course before pursuing studies at the Al Azhar University.

On another note, he advised students not to take co-curricular activities lightly as they are an important criteria for admission into public institutions of higher learning (IPTA).

"Admission to public universities is more competitive now and it is not enough to have good academic results," he added.

Source : BERNAMA