• Currently, there are 39,992 foreigners studying in Malaysia, according to statistics from the Ministry of Higher Education
• Monitoring of advertisements for fake degrees is ongoing however government cannot take action against foreign universities selling questionable degrees.

Almost 10% of the more than 30,000 applications from foreigners to study in Malaysia were rejected as of 30 September, said Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung. This was because they did not fulfill the criteria set by the ministry.

"As of Sept 30, there were 31,359 applications from foreigners to study here. After checks, 3,049 applications were rejected," said Hou.

Hou said among the criteria were that the students should have an offer letter from a local higher learning institution, possess the necessary academic qualifications and be medically fit. The courses must also be accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency. Students from sub-Saharan countries also had to have a "non-objection" certificate from their country.

"Foreign students must submit applications through their host countries. Those who come in with visa-on-arrival and social visit passes are no longer considered for student passes."

He said statistics showed that only a small number of foreign students were involved in crime here.

"So far, we have not received any complaints about higher education institutes which provide fake degrees. It is usually syndicates which do this for easy money."

He said the ministry monitored the press for advertisements for bogus degrees.

Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) asked Hou if the ministry had any mechanism to take action against foreign universities selling bogus degrees. Hou replied that the ministry was powerless to take action against foreign universities.