Malaysian Student Department (MSD) New Zealand

THE MALAYSIAN STUDENTS DEPARMENT NEW ZEALAND

Introduction

The Malaysian Students Department (MSD) New Zealand is located at the Malaysian High Commission, 10 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn, Wellington 6002, and New Zealand. In essence, MSD is responsible for all matters relating to students’ affairs.

The responsibility of MSD begins the moment a student arrives in New Zealand until the day he/she finally returns to Malaysia. In short, this responsibility can be categorized into five major functions:

· Facilitate bilateral cooperation and linkages between Malaysian educational institutions and New Zealand educational institutions and other related agencies;

· Maintain and update the database and the profile of Malaysian students in New Zealand;

· Provide help in matters related to students’ academic progress, and their personal and social development;

· Provide guidance, counseling and advisory services; and

· Provide support and welfare services.

Organisational Structure

The MSD is run by an Education Attaché in its day-today operations. The Education Attaché are appointed by the Ministry of Education Malaysia. Two locally recruited staffs provide support services to the organization.

Contact Person:

Education Attaché,

Malaysian Students Department,

10, Washington Avenue,

P.O. Box 9422, Brooklyn,

Wellington 6002, New Zealand

Telephone : 0064 4 381 2439

Mobile : 0064 21 269 2902

Fax : 0064 4 384 7339

Email : msdnz101@xtra.co.nz

GENERAL ADVISORY TO MALAYSIAN STUDENTS IN NEW ZEALAND

Introduction

Living away from your country can be a really interesting and unforgettable experience, but at the same time it has very important effects on one's life. The most significant effect of living away from home is the independent behaviour that grows inside of you. Living on your own far from your family gives you a lot of experiences toward organising your life. Since it is up to you and no one else to go to school, clean your room, wash your clothes, and organise your expenses, it is predictable that you will have a good and strong meaning of responsibility. Being independent and responsible will help you get through life every goal you want to achieve.

Living far from home, even for a short period of time, can be really hard at the beginning. You have to remember that all changes are difficult, but they are necessary to go through them to build your character. Since you are living in a place with different customs and traditions from yours, you have to be able to develop yourself in unknown conditions. This means making new friends, learning other points of view, accepting different opinions and values, and seizing every opportunity you have to develop your potential to its maximum. Suggesting to change your mind totally or to be square minded would be unproductive; the best thing to do would be to stick to your most important values, and change those that you believe could be improved and make you a better person.

Personal Safety

Safety is an important issue and must be given utmost priority during one’s stay in a foreign country. The purpose of this note is to remind Malaysian students to be vigilant at all times and to take extra precautionary measures when you are in unfamiliar surroundings or in the company of strangers. This reminder is for your own safety and well-being through out the duration of your study in New Zealand. There is also a constant need for students to be prepared in any eventualities like natural disasters such as earthquakes, flooding and fire. In any case of these emergencies, please seek immediate assistance by calling your local police or by dialling 111. Do not panic, and always give your fullest co-operation to the relevant authorities and security personnel. But most of all use your common sense wisely because wise decisions make a lot of difference in any life-threatening situations. It is also important to notify the Malaysian Students Department/High Commission of Malaysia in Wellington whenever you are affected by any emergencies, especially if you are inflicted with injuries.

Travelling In New Zealand

Provide your contact details and your whereabouts regularly to your parent or guardian and also to your close friends whenever you travel away from your address on official field trip or private excursion during your holidays. You must possess a valid driver’s license and personal insurance if you decide to drive a vehicle during such trips. Please observe traffic regulations at all times and be aware of road conditions especially during wet and icy conditions.

Emergency Plan

As part of your emergency preparation, we would like to advise you to be ready with some basic items such as food and drinking water so that you can cope on your own for at least three days. Where appropriate, stock them in a camping backpack or a large easy-to-carry container in advance to prepare for any eventualities that call for instant evacuation. The following website: www.civildefence.govt.nz is useful for detailed information on your emergency plan.

The following personal items must be kept in a safe place and within easy reach at all times as your preparations for any emergencies:

A. Personal Documents

- Passport.

- Birth Certificate.

- Identity card.

- Transcript.

- Student ID.

- Driver’s license.

- Bank Account Numbers.

- Insurance card.

- Laptop (if any).

B. Money

- Cash.

- Debit/Credit Cards.

- Cheque Book.

C. Contact Details

- Emergency Phone Numbers (Police, Hospitals, Fire, Ambulance).

- International Students Office.

- Malaysian High Commission Office.

- Malaysian Students Department (MSD)./Public Service Department (PSD)

- Sponsoring agencies.

- Next of Kin (Parents or Guardians).

- Close friends.

D. Others

- Emergency clothing.

- Food (non-perishable items that require no refrigeration).

- Bottled water.

- Medicines (prescription and non-prescription drugs).

- First aid supply

- Sanitary supply

- Quran, Surah Yasin, etc (for Muslims).

- Bible or other religious books for non-Muslims.

- Books for light reading.

- Torchlight.

- Radio.

The above list is not exhaustive. You may decide on other important items to help you with your emergency preparation.

Evacuation Plan

If disaster strikes please remain calm and be patient. Check for your own injuries first before attending to others. Listen to radio or television reports regularly for updates of the situation. When evacuation becomes necessary or when your local government officials issues evacuation orders, leave immediately and follow their instructions.

If you have only moments before leaving, grab these things and go:

Personal documents.

· Money.

· Mobile phone.

· Medical supplies especially prescription medications.

Please remember: Common sense prevails at all times.

IMPORTANT CONTACT AND PHONE NUMBERS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:

High Commission of Malaysia in Wellington.

00 64 4 385 2439 (Main Line)

Malaysian Students Department in Wellington.

ROSE LINA ISMAIL (EDUCATION ATTACHE)

00 64 4 381 2439 - OFFICE

00 64 21 269 2902 - MOBILE

00 64 27 282 9440 - MOBILE

Public Service Department in Wellington.

SITI JALILAH ABD MANAF (PSD STUDENTS ADVISOR)

00 64 4 381 2400

0064 21 0210 2167