Materia Medica Malaysiana

Crimea degrees status in limbo

More than 1,000 Malaysians studying at the Crimea State Medical University (CSMU) in Ukraine may be in limbo tomorrow.
Their fate depends on an announcement to be made by the Health Ministry on the possible withdrawal of recognition for medical programmes at CSMU.
A statement from the Health Ministry today said director-general Datuk Dr Ismail Merican will hold a Press conference tomorrow on the withdrawal of recognition for medical-based degrees from the university.
If recognition is withdrawn, Malaysian students pursuing pre-university and medical degrees there will face a dilemma.
It is possible, however, that the current batch of students may be exempted in the event recognition is withdrawn. About a third of the students are sponsored by Mara and Yayasan Selangor.
The Public Service Department has recognised the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from CSMU since 2001, so graduates need not sit for a qualifying examination to practise in Malaysia upon graduation.
The medical degrees are also recognised by the Malaysian Medical Council.
When contacted, Dr Subendran Arumugam, director of Ukrainian Medical Education Sdn Bhd, which represents CSMU in Malaysia, said the university had no knowledge of any withdrawal.
"Any withdrawal of recognition should be communicated to the university," he said in a telephone interview from the Ukraine.
"If we are not complying with any requirements, we should be informed and a grace period given for compliance. If we still do not comply, only then should they withdraw recognition."