Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's intervention on 128 top students who failed to gain entry into medical courses in local universities may have caused even more anxiety among the budding doctors affected due to the lack of details thus far.

One such student, S Murali, who has been offered a place in Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) is presently in a dilemma as he is unable to make a decision based on the little amount of information given.

His father, R Silvarajoo when contacted told malaysiakini that he was disappointed over the long time taken to resolve the matter.

"We are in a dilemma as we understand that (studying in AIMST) would cost us RM250,000. We don't know whether to pursue the earlier courses offered (in public university) or wait for further action," he said.

Silvarajoo said that he has not heard anything from the institution nor the government regarding the matter.

He also said that they are considering dropping the idea of Murali doing medicine altogether, as the cost at a private institution is too high.

Asked if he has sought financial help from any political parties, he said that he was told to wait for an official letter from the institution.

Murali is one of five students that have been offered places in AIMST. 34 were offered places in Kolej Perubatan Di Raja Perak, while 50 were offered places at Allianze College of Medical Science (ACMS).

Murali has up to next week to decide on the offer, but little details regarding study loans offered by the government is delaying his decision.

No grading system

It was announced on Tuesday that the 99 students who were offered places in private universities would be given "convertible loans" by the Public Service Department (PSD).

According media reports, Higher Education Minister Dr Shafie Mohd Salleh said that students would have to obtain first-class honours or equivalent in order to turn the loans into scholarships.

However a senior private medical practitioner, who requested anonymity, told malaysiakini that at present, no universities in Malaysia uses a grading system that would identify "first-class honours scholars".

"There is no grading system from first to fourth year. On the fifth year, students may be awarded a gold medal for academic excellence. Even so, only a handful of those can be top scholars," said the doctor.

As such, the doctor said that it is most likely that most of the students who take up the convertible loans, will not end up with a scholarship.

He also questioned the quality of at least two of the private colleges offered to the affected students, adding that he has never heard of the ACMS.

He also said that no students have ever graduated from AIMST and thus the course might not have been recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council (MCC).

4-year wait for recognition

Deputy director of AIMST student recruitment and liaison division, R Arivalan, confirmed that the first batch of graduates is expected at the end of 2006 or early 2007, and that AIMST is not recognised by the MMC.

"The MMC will accept an application (for the institution to be recognised) only if the institution has been operating for four years. Recognition is important as only then would the graduates be allowed to serve," said Arivalan.

Since AIMST began operations in 2001, it would be eligible for application next year, he added.

He said that the course had already been approved by the National Accreditation Board (LAN) and the Higher Education Department (JPS), and that he was confident of MMC's recognition because the Education Ministry was "impressed".

AIMST, brainchild of MIC president S Samy Vellu, is situated in Sungai Petani, Kedah.

Meanwhile, ACMS Administration Manager Mohd Akhir Abdullah, said that ACMS runs a six-year twinning course with Universitas Sumatera Utara, and that the course was approved by LAN and JPS last year. The degree is recognised by MMC.

He said that the students will study three years in Sumatra before returning for three years of clinical studies which will include attachments with five government-run hospitals.