An allocation of RM15 million has been set aside as an educational aid for women from conflict-stricken countries through the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)-Malaysia Scholarship launched today.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Jamil Khir Baharom said the allocation was part of the Malaysian government’s on-going efforts to provide assistance in various forms to the people in troubled Muslim countries.

He said among the women who would receive the scholarship were those from Syria, Yemen and Palestine pursuing studies in areas like civil engineering, counseling, economics, medicine, law and information technology.

“Some of them are children of Syrian nationals who are already here, as well as those who are qualified to pursue their studies here. They will be sponsored by the university until they complete their education.”

Jamil Khir said this to reporters after launching the World Muslim Women Summit and Exhibition (WISE) and the launch of the OIC-Malaysia Scholarship in Kuala Lumpur today.

Also present were his deputy Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Malaysia rector Zaleha Kamarudin.

Jamil Khir said the scholarship, which would be funded by all the public universities in the country, would help female students in those countries to gain knowledge and tertiary education and hence help rebuild their nations.

The inaugural three-day summit is organised by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (Jakim) with the cooperation of the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, UIA, OIC and the World Islamic Forum.

Meanwhile, Zaleha said the UIA was the secretariat for the scholarship and in Malaysia, 11 students had been offered the scholarship so far.

She added that the other OIC nations would continue similar efforts in their countries to enable as many women from troubled nations as possible to pursue their studies.

She said Turkey was among the nations which had agreed to continue the scholarship programme, targetting to help 1,000 women in 10 years.

- Bernama