Higher Education Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir said private and public institutions of higher learning in the country should do more to assist Palestinians.

This is to ensure they have resources to rebuild Gaza, which has been destroyed in months of ongoing Israeli bombardment.

“Apart from discussing (the fate of) the Palestinians amid the ongoing killings there, initiatives to rebuild Gaza, particularly in terms of education, must be undertaken.

“This is a very fundamental issue and the ministry will open more opportunities, not to just bring them to Malaysia for medical treatment, but also to provide educational opportunities,” New Straits Times reported Zambry (above) as saying at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said he has already had meetings with vice-chancellors of universities on the matter, including extending the use of medical facilities at training hospitals to treat wounded Palestinians.

“I mentioned in yesterday’s meeting with several vice-chancellors that they should take steps (to help the people of Gaza). Some of the public universities have their own training hospitals.

“This means they can assist the 127 Gazans who have arrived here for treatment, for example. Hence, they are not only placed in public hospitals.

“Therefore, I urge universities with hospitals to provide space for them,” he said.

M’sia to provide educational opportunities

Speaking at a roundtable discussion about empowering the reconstruction of Gaza through education, he said the government has allocated some US$3.87 million (about RM17 million) to pay for tuition fees and monthly financial assistance to Palestinian students for a year.

The funding was channelled through the Humanitarian Trust Fund for the People of Palestine, he said.

“In addition, the Malaysian government will cover other university-related fees amounting to US$1.13 million (RM4.95 million).

“This initiative reflects Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring that Palestinian students can continue their education without being burdened financially,” he said.

Last week, the Royal Malaysian Air Force transported 127 Palestinians, including 41 wounded individuals and their companions, to Malaysia for medical treatment.

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Over 120 injured Palestinians arrive in M'sia

Over 120 injured Palestinians arrive in M'sia