KUWAIT CITY, June 10: The decision of Minister of Education and Higher Education Hamad Al-Adwani to suspend the scholarship for Kuwaitis studying Medicine, Pharmachology and Dentistry in Egypt and Jordan has drawn mixed parliamentary reactions.

A total of 12 newly elected MPs voiced objection to the decision, stressing the need for further studies in the interest of the students. These MPs include Falah Al- Hajri, Meteb Raathan Al-Zaidi, Muhammad Al- Mahan, Khalid Al-Tamar, Abdulhadi Al-Ajmi, Muhammad Al- Regaib, Mubarak Al-Tasha, Majed Al-Mutairi, Abdullah Fehad, Muhammad Hayef, Badr Sayyar Al-Shemmari and Badr Al-Anzi. Hayef said the decision damages the educational strategies and violates the regulations of the Accreditation Directorate at Kuwait University. He argued that correcting the errors should not bring about bigger problems. Fehad stated that the decision kills the ambition of excellent students, considering it does not specify alternative universities for the students.

Al-Mutairi thinks the decision has not been studied well and there has been suspicion of giving special benefits to certain parties at the expense of public interest. He highlighted the fact that Kuwait lacks physicians and other medical professionals. He then recommended specifying the qualified universities in Egypt and Jordan, instead of suspending the scholarship.

MP Hamadan Al-Azmi urged the Ministry of Higher Education to organize a press conference in order to explain the rationale behind the decision. He added the government must change the previous attitude and reveal facts to the citizens. On the other hand, MP Jenan Bu Shehri supports the decision; indicating her opinion is based on the vision of academic experts who upheld the decision. She was quick to clarify though that she fully understands the opinion of the other party. MP Hamad Al-Elyan also supports the decision, disclosing that he carefully studied the decision. He concluded that the decision is in the interest of the students and development of the quality of education. In another development, MP Muhammad Hayef said he will reopen talks on issues included in the agenda of the Negative Phenomena Committee; such as cheating in exams, bribery, corruption, drugs and national and Islamic identity.

MP Soud Al-Asfour called on HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al- Jaber Al-Sabah to consider the results of the parliamentary election in forming the new government. He pointed out that the structure of the government will define the level of cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities. He stressed the need for a government that matches the electoral outcome to work towards the desired achievements. He added that amnesty and the release of those imprisoned for involvement in opinion crimes are on top of his priorities in the coming parliamentary term. By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh Arab Times Staff