Malaysian Commonwealth Scholarship

The Malaysian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan are awarded by the Malaysian Government to the nominated students from the Commonwealth countries to study at the post- graduate level in Malaysia. This is a Government to Government scheme without any bond imposed by Malaysia.

ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be the Commonwealth citizens or British protected persons residing in countries of the Commonwealth other than Malaysia as listed in Appendix II. Applicants must be a graduate of a University or College in their own countries or holders of an equivalent qualification. Applicants must have a minimum standard of upper second class honours or CGPA of 3.5/4.0 at bachelor`s degree level.

In addition, applicants for PhD must possess very good result at Master degree level in a similar field of intended PhD study. Scholarship will not be awarded to candidates wishing to undertake undergraduate studies, post-doctoral research, clinical training or second Master/PhD degree. Scholarship will be valid for only one degree and not eligible for continuation to another higher degree.

TENURE OF AWARDS
The awards for Masters degree are between 12 to 24 months depending on the courses. Awards for pursuing PhD degree are for 3 years. The academic term in Malaysia commences in July but candidates may also register in the second semester commencing in December. The Awards are only applicable for candidates pursuing full-time degree programme in Malaysia.

VALUE OF AWARDS
The value of the award has been designed to accommodate the scholar`s need throughout his/ her studies which covers the scholar`s living, study and travel expenses during tenure of the scholarship.
Each scholarship consists of:
- a return air tickets from recipient`s capital city to Malaysia;
- an approved tuition fees by the respective university;
- monthly maintenance allowance; a yearly grant for books and internal travel;
- thesis allowance, installation and termination grant.
Family allowance for accompanying spouse or children.

PLACEMENT IN MALAYSIAN UNIVERSITIES
University`s application for admission is solely the candidate`s responsibility. Proof of admission is not a pre-requisite to the award. Selection committee for Commonwealth Scholarship will only consider qualified applicants with outstanding academic achievement and professional performance.

Interested applicants are advised to apply before the beginning of the academic year which falls on the month of July for most of Malaysian university. The scholarship awarded does not guarantee a placement in the university. Admission to any program is by way of applications to the university. Applications must abide to the requirement and procedure for admission set by the university.

GENERAL CONDITIONS OF AWARDS
The following conditions apply to all scholarship holders : Scholarship holders must not change their programme during tenure of the scholarship except with written permission from their university and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia. Scholarship holders must follow the approved programmes and abide by the university`s rules, regulations and codes of conduct.

Any suspension from the university will result in immediate suspension of the award. Monthly allowances are not payable during suspension. Scholarship holders are responsible for securing an appropriate entry visa including medical examination. Scholarship holders must maintain satisfactory progress and good standing as stipulated by their host university and degree programme, or the scholarship will be withdrawn. Any periods of leave must be approved by the university and in accordance with the purposes of the Commonwealth Scholarship. It is expected that leave will be normally spent in Malaysia, but the university may approve a short period spent overseas.

A student wishing to travel overseas for an extended period would first need to establish medical or compassionate grounds before Immigration clearance could be obtained. Expenses for such travel are not included in the scholarship. The scholarships are tenable in Malaysian universities and research will normally be carried out in Malaysia. If appropriate it may be possible for a limited amount of research to be carried out in scholar`s home country but financing of such an arrangement would be the responsibility of the scholar. Scholarships holders are not allowed to take any paid employment in Malaysia during their tenure unless with written approval from the host university. Upon termination of studies, scholarships holders are expected to return to their respective home countries immediately This award is only given once to any successful applicant.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP
Applicants should complete the application form ( in 2 copies ) attached with this document. The following documentation must be attached with the application form:
- A certified copy of the applicant`s current passport showing evidence of citizenship;
- The applicant`s academic records, testimonials and/ or references relating to the relevant study, co-curricullum activities, achievements;
- A letter from certified doctor declaring the applicant`s good health;
- Passport-size photograph (2 copies);
- Completed Medical Report;
- A clear and precise study or research plan;
- English language proficiency certificate or test score (if any);
- Admission letter for post-graduate study (if any); and
- Two letters of appraisal.

Notes:
All certificates and related documents submitted must be certified by a recognised official or by the institution that issued the documents and must bear the official stamp and signature of the certifier. Official translation in English is required if the transcript is in other languages. Applications must be endorsed by the Ministry of Foregn Affairs or agency responsible for technical cooperation in the respective recipient`s Government and submitted to the Malaysian Goverment Representatives in the country in which the applicant has his/her permanent home; or send direct to:

The Secretary General
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia
Wisma Putra, No. 1 62602
Putrajaya Malaysia.

All applications must reach the Malaysian Goverment Representative (or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia) not later than 31 December 2007.
Application received after this date would not be considered.

ROLE OF NOMINATING GOVERNMENT
Each participating country is invited to submit two (2) nominations only. The nominating agency is responsible for nominating candidates for the MTCP Scholarship and is expected: to disseminate information about MTCP Scholarships as widely as possible especially to all government agencies and public institutions of higher learning; to ensure all applications are completed according to requirements; to ensure that only qualified applicants are short listed; to nominate only the best among the applicants; and to assist them for departure, if selected.

FURTHER ENQUIRIES
For further enquiries, prospective applicants can either request or write directly to the nearest Malaysian Diplomatic Mission or the following address:
Scholarship Division
Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia Level 4,
Block 1 PjH Tower Precint 2
Federal Goverment
Administration Centre 62100,
PUTRAJAYA MALAYSIA

website : http://www.mohe.gov.my
email : norkamilahz @ mohe.gov.my

Please visit Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme’s website, http://mtcp.epu.jpm.my for the details.

RESULTS OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
The results of the successful applicants will be announced through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or The Malaysian Mission of that particular nominating country. Successful candidates will be notified by the Ministry before the end of March 2008.

For those who have yet to be notified after this period, may consider their application unsuccessful.

Application Form : http://www.mohe.gov.my/images/CSFP.pdf
List of Commonwealth countries: http://www.mohe.gov.my/images/list_common.pdf
Medical Report: http://www.mohe.gov.my/images/medical.pdf