Kuala Lumpur: The Higher Education Ministry (MoHE) has issued an urgent call for Malaysian students currently residing in Iran to leave the country at once. This directive follows the increasingly critical situation in the region, prompting students to report to the Malaysian Embassy in Tehran for further assistance.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud confirmed that four Malaysian students have been identified as studying in the cities of Qom and Isfahan. He assured that these students are currently safe, and their families have been informed of the latest developments. The MoHE, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is urging these students to register with the embassy to facilitate evacuation procedures, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing their safety amid the escalating conflict.
The advisory comes after the Foreign Ministry released a statement urging all Malaysians in Iran to exit the country due to the worsening security scenario following Israel’s aggressive military actions against Iran. The ministry warned of the volatile situation, which could deteriorate unexpectedly, posing potential risks to those in the region.
Tensions have heightened between Iran and Israel since an unprovoked airstrike by Israel on Iranian territory last Friday, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of several senior military officials and scientists. This development has further strained relations and heightened the urgency for evacuation.
During the 25th anniversary celebration of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), officiated by the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, USIM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Sharifudin Md Shaarani provided updates on the university’s current status. He highlighted that USIM hosts 14,000 students, with over 700 international students from more than 30 countries, contributing to its global academic community.
Prof Dr Sharifudin also shared insights into USIM’s research initiatives, noting that the university has undertaken 2,476 projects since 2000, with funding surpassing RM102 million from various sources. National-level contributions amounted to RM63 million, while private sector and non-governmental organizations contributed over RM14 million. To date, USIM has produced more than 37,000 alumni.