JEDDAH, 1 November — Saudi students are evincing keen interest in multimedia, according to a visiting delegation from Malaysian universities here yesterday.
“Students from the Arab world have also shown particular interest in information technology, engineering and business management,” Dr. Ahmad Zaki Abu Bakar, dean of the faculty of computer science and information systems at Universiti Teknology Malaysia and leader of the delegation, told a press conference.
He is also professor at Multilingual Information Technology, and chairman and cyber novelist of National Information Technology Standards.
“Going by enrollments so far from the Middle East-Gulf region and new inquiries received from the Kingdom’s student community by Multimedia University at Cyberjaya, Selangor, we’re overwhelmed by the response, Zambri Pawanchik, assistant director of the university’s marketing communications unit, said.
The delegation, which also includes Universiti Tenaga Nasional based in Kajang, Selangor, University Teknologi Malaysia of Johor, is moving to Riyadh tomorrow for a two-day exhibition. Noor Zarina Musa, manager, marketing and public relations at Universiti Tenaga Nasional said there was a distinct interest among Arab students in enrolling themselves in various Malaysian universities after 9/11.
“They are no more going to the United States, and only some of them may be studying in the United Kingdom and Europe. But a majority of them are now looking toward the Far East, especially Malaysia,” she said.
Comparative lower living and education costs have also been cited as reasons for students from the Arab world and elsewhere to pursue higher and professional education in Malaysia, mission members said.
The delegation also represents University Putra Malaysia, described as a center of learning of the 21st century providing education in diverse disciplines ranging from agriculture to veterinary science, engineering to IT, agriculture to economics and management, and human development studies and modern languages. Courses in music, pure science and medicine are also offered.
