Penerangan pasal Polisi Baru MMU

Main Hall – Dr. Wong Eng Kiong, Vice President of Multimedia University explained and clarified reasons behind the implementation of several much talked-about new policies and how they would work in an open dialogue dubbed the “Town Hall Session” earlier this afternoon. Students were given the opportunity to voice their opinion and concern over the implementation of these policies. The policies and issues addressed are:

1. 100% payment every trimester.
2. Fixed Fees to be paid every trimester
3. No refund of fees after 2 weeks
4. 7 subjects to be taken each trimester.

Dr. Wong pointed out that Issue 1 above affects all current and new students whereas Issues 2 – 4 above affects only students from the June 2010 Intake onwards for Alpha, Beta and Diploma.

This article provides information on the policies as explained by Dr. Wong. For students’ feedback and reaction, read “Students react to new policies“.

Dr. Wong Eng Kiong, Vice President of MMU at the open discussion dubbed the "Town Hall Session"

ISSUE 1: 100% PAYMENT EVERY TRIMESTER

In the old system, students are allowed to sit for Final Exam with payment of only 75% of tuition fees. However, since 2009, students are required to pay 100% of their fees. The Vice President of MMU explained that students with problems to settle their fees can negotiate with the Credit Management Unit (CMU). CMU will evaluate on a case-by-case basis and come up with proposals to assist students such that they can be allowed to sit for Final Exams.

The rationale behind the requirement of 100% payment is because many students are in debt with the university. Debts to be collected are:

• Non-active students, RM 26 millions
  • Graduated, RM 8.6 millions
• Active students, RM 31 millions
  • Self-sponsored, RM 16 millions

Some 'quick facts on finance' as presented by Dr. Wong

ISSUE 2: FIXED PAYMENT

The June 2010 batch of students for Diploma, Alpha and Beta will be required to pay a fixed amount of fees each trimester, unlike the older batches of students who were and are still required to pay their tuition fees according to the number of subjects registered each trimester.

The reason cited for the introduction of fixed payment was such that the university management will be able to determine the cash flow, which is instrumental for a private institution. Dr. Wong said, “This will effectively allow us to plan ahead for the university on what to spend for further improvements.”

Dr. Wong further explained on how this fixed payment system works by citing an Engineering course as example.

• The full sum of tuition fees for an Engineering course would cost RM 50,000 (for local students). This total cost will be divided equally for the number of nominal years of study. For Engineering, the number of years of study is 4 years. This means for each year of study, students will pay RM 12,500.
• In any one academic year, the amount of RM 12,500 to be paid will be further divided according to the ratios of 40% for each of the two long trimesters and 20% for the short trimester. This means for each long trimester for an Engineering student, the fees to be paid is RM 5,000 and for short trimester RM 2,500.
• The similar principle applies to courses which are 3-year long whereby the total sum of tuition fees is divided by 3 to obtain the amount to pay for each academic year. This said amount will similarly be divided according to the ratio 40%, 40% and 20% for the long trimester, long trimester and short trimester.

Example: Tuition fees structure for an Engineering student (for local students)

Year of study	Trimester	Amount of fees to pay
Beta, β	Trimester 1 (Long trimester)	RM 5,000
	Trimester 2 (Long trimester)	RM 5,000
	Trimester 3 (Short trimester)	RM 2,500
Gamma, γ	Trimester 1 (Long trimester)	RM 5,000
	Trimester 2 (Long trimester)	RM 5,000
	Trimester 3 (Short trimester)	RM 2,500
Delta, δ	Trimester 1 (Long trimester)	RM 5,000
	Trimester 2 (Long trimester)	RM 5,000
	Trimester 3 (Short trimester)	RM 2,500
Epsilon, ε	Trimester 1 (Long trimester)	RM 5,000
	Trimester 2 (Long trimester)	RM 5,000
	Trimester 3 (Short trimester)	RM 2,500
TOTAL TUITION FEES		RM 50,000

Regardless the number of subjects a student takes each trimester, he would be required to pay a fixed amount of fees as long as there are credit hours registered. The Vice President said, “Unless a student takes the Leave of Absence, there’s zero credit hours registered, then he would not be required to pay the said fees for that particular trimester.”

“The fixed payment system will not make any difference for students compared to the old system if students complete their studies within the nominal years according to their course structure,” Dr. Wong told the crowd.

“Complications arise when students begin failing their subjects, falling into ‘Probation’ status and extend beyond their supposed duration of studies.”

• If a student extends his duration of studies by only one trimester, there will be no charge of tuition fees for this extended trimester.
• If a student extends by two trimesters or more, for the second extended trimester onwards, he will be required to pay 30% of a trimester’s tuition fees for each extended trimester.
• A student is allowed duration of studies of not more than double of the course’s nominal years.

Example: Tuition fees structure for an Engineering student (for local students)

Number of years of studies	Amount of fees to pay for the extended trimester(s) (30%)	Total fees upon completion of studies
4 years	NONE	RM 50,000
4 years + 1 trimester	NONE	RM 50,000
4 years + 2 trimesters	RM 1,500	RM 51,500
8 years	RM 13,500	RM 63,500

Students present at the dialogue

ISSUE 3: NO REFUND OF TUITION FEES AFTER 2 WEEKS

Dr. Wong Eng Kiong explained that Issue 2 above and Issue 3 are tied together. He said, “Since students now pay a fixed amount of fees, there is no more issue of refund when students drop subjects beyond the first two weeks of every trimester.”

“Subject registration and payment of fees are separate now that students do not pay fees according to the number of subjects registered,” Dr. Wong reiterated.

In the old system, should a student drop a subject within the first two weeks, there will be 100% refund. Refund amounts to 75% if subject is dropped in Week 3, 50% if dropped in Weeks 4 or 5 and no refund for Week 6 onwards.

ISSUE 4: 7 SUBJECTS TO BE TAKEN IN LONG TRIMESTERS

Students for a select number of courses are required to take up to 7 subjects in each long trimester while the short trimester will be kept free. In the Melaka Campus, only Faculty of Information Science and Technology (FIST) students are affected.

Madam Noor Lela Baba, Chief Finance Officer was supposed to be present along with Dr. Wong. She failed to be present due to her busy schedule. However, Melaka Campus Director Prof. Omar Shawkataly, Student Affairs Senior Director Mr. Zamzuri Abdul Majid, Faculty of Business and Law Dean Dr. Hishamuddin Ismail and several other staffs or faculty representatives were present.

p/s: alamak ai...FIST affected...cam ne r course structure aku nnt...btw,tak sempat nk update pasal kejadian2 minggu lepas...akan diupdate sekali gus...Insya Allah...bz ckit...