Selandar: The governments of Egypt and Malaysia have agreed to designate Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) as a one-stop centre for students sponsored by Al-Azhar University to pursue medical studies at the prestigious institution. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that selected students will undergo a one-year ‘familiarisation course’ at USIM before continuing their studies at Al-Azhar University.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr Ahmad Zahid emphasized the importance of the one-year Arabic-language familiarisation course at USIM, which has been agreed upon by both the Egyptian and Malaysian governments. This initiative was discussed following the launch of the Dunia Melayu Dunia Islam (DMDI) Dakwah Complex and the DMDI Foundation Tahfiz Centre at Maahad Tahfiz Sulaimaniyyah, Kampung Tersusun DMDI Bukit Senggeh.

The event was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, and attended by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and DMDI Foundation chairman Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali. The DMDI Foundation Tahfiz Centre, which started construction in 2021 and was completed in February this year, has enrolled 37 students in its first intake.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also stated that the government prioritizes outstanding tahfiz school graduates, particularly those with a Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) Level 5, for medical studies at Al-Azhar University. In addition, he addressed the ongoing discussions regarding Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) request to contest 13 seats in the upcoming Sabah state election, mentioning that negotiations are still in progress between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH).

He noted that the request is considered an internal matter among PH component parties and that both BN and PH, along with local parties in Sabah, are working cooperatively. A final decision will be made once the Sabah State Legislative Assembly is dissolved.