Malaysian human rights expert to speak on VSU at International Forum

The Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations (CAPA) today announced that the Secretary-General of Malaysia's National Human Rights Society will head the list of internationally renown speakers at the upcoming 2nd Asia Pacific Postgraduate Forum (APPF), to be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 23rd to 26th.

Ms Elizabeth Wong, who is also a board member of Malaysia's human rights organisation Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) (Voice of the Malaysian People), has personal experience of Higher Education in Australia. She will address the forum on the globalisation of Higher Education, the effect of VSU legislation on International Students and the quality of the support they will receive.

The 2nd APPF is sponsored by both CAPA and Level 7 (New Zealand's national peak postgraduate body) and will be attended by postgraduates, academics and sector representatives from throughout Australia, South East Asia and the Pacific.

CAPA President Stephen Horton said today, "We are pleased Ms Wong will be addressing the forum on VSU and Higher Education, and we are sure that her comments will certainly have a bearing on students from both Malaysia and surrounding countries who may be considering a degree in Australia."

Mr Horton continued, "CAPA has maintained that VSU will have a negative impact for both international and domestic students, and that the stubborn and dogmatic attempts by the Education Minister to force this legislation through, without amendment, have not gone unnoticed by international observers, officials and students."

Ms Wong will be joined by other notable Malaysian speakers, including Mr Amir Muhammad, one of Malaysia's leading film directors and well known cultural and social critics, and renowned academic and social commentator, Professor Wan ZawIbrahim, who will also speak at the forum on issues relating to faith and education.