AIMST’s first batch in

Star: KUALA LUMPUR: The new RM465mil permanent campus of the MIC-owned Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology (AIMST) University in Semeling, Kedah, which will begin operations by the year's end, has already received its maiden batch of students.
The 650 students have entered its hostel, but will still have to attend lectures at the AIMST temporary campus in Bandar Amanjaya in Sungai Petani while awaiting the completion of the permanent campus next month.
MIC president Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said other students were putting up at temporary hostels in Bandar Laguna Merbok and also staying on their own in nearby housing estates.
He said these students were expected to move into the permanent campus’ hostel early next year.
There are about 4,500 students pursuing various courses in medicine, engineering, biotech and information technology courses at the AIMST temporary campus.
“By end of the year, we expect the permanent campus in Semeling to be fully operational,” he said.
He added that that the construction of the university’s permanent campus, which was 98% done, was expected to be completed by Oct 15.
The Works Minister, said the MIC would invite Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to officially declare open the AIMST permanent campus next January.
“January is an auspicious month for Hindus and we believe it is a good time,” he said.
Samy Vellu, who has been making regular inspection visits to the Semeling campus, said the project was progressing well but he had asked the contractors to speed things up.
He said enrolment was expected to increase to 7,500 within five years.
The Maju Institute of Educational Development (MIED), which is the party’s educational arm, manages the university.