“Because they are slow-paced at work...,” “Because they don't like Chinese...” and a thousand reasons are probably some of the trivial responses you might get. Psycholinguistically, asking “why” when they did something cannot be undone is getting us nowhere. Sensitive people will mistakenly interpret what they hear as “Did you ask me why to hurt my feelings or merely to emphasize your point?” What they think about your intentions will affect how they think about you and, ultimately, how the conversation goes. You can improve the quality of the conversation by choosing to rephrase things positively and ask questions that provide specific data.

We can't guess what's in your head. Can you just go straight to the point?

The standard procedure is to apply for extension six months before the tentative end date of the study program (as specified in the contract), to allow adequate time for processing the application for extension. Submitting application near the end date of the study may delay the processing time.

Since the issue is escalated to this stage, you should highlight your issue to the Treasury Office to find out what options are available to you. You are also advised to discuss the matter with your main supervisor to see if he or she can employ you as a research assistant on a temporary contract, say 6 months. After obtaining the approval,you'll be reimbursed for the approved expenses related to your study.

Should be one academic term.

Unlikely.

Your first task is to get the Penolong Pendaftar's signature at the School of Graduate Studies (SGS). If the Penolong Pendaftar is available, he or she can process your form in approximately 30 minutes to an hour.

With that signature, take the form to Pejabat Pendaftar (Bahagian Pengurusan Sumber Manusia) at the Main Admin Building, and tell the officer in charge that you want to get the remaining two signatures for MyBRAIN application. The officer will check your form, and if you don't the first signature, then your form will be rejected. You don't need to take the form to Pejabat Bursar, unless instructed.

The standard procedure is to leave the form in the office for processing, and you need to follow up in the next few day. They usually process your form within 3 to 5 working days.

Since you stay in Perak, you may request the officer to expedite the process. If the Penolong Pendaftar and Penolong Bendahari Kanan are available and not occupied, they are usually willing to help when you approach them with pathos (emotional appeal).

Good luck!

Contacts

Puan Rahmawati Umar
03-8946 4228
Penolong Pendaftar
School of Graduate Studies (SGS)
http://www.sgs.upm.edu.my/management_sps#management_sps

Puan Dalina Kamarudin
03-8947 1522
Penolong Pendaftar
Pejabat Pendaftar (Bahagian Pengurusan Sumber Manusia)
Main Admin Building
http://www.pendaftar.upm.edu.my/HRMbm

Puan Mazitah Ahmad
03-8946 4161 / 4156
Penolong Bendahari Kanan
Pejabat Bursar (Seksyen Kewangan Pelajar)
Main Admin Building
http://www.bursar.upm.edu.my/images/L2/5162_bm.jpg

Map to SGS

Map to Main Admin Building

If that's the case, most likely you have to make at least two trips down. You may submit the completed form together with other MyBRAIN documents to Biasiswa division at the Ministry of Education, Putrajaya, by 30 April.

It's a standard protocol for SGS to inform you that they need some time to process, as they cannot assign someone's responsibility specifically to commit to process your form within a short window of time. Nevertheless, if you meet up with Puan Rahmawati Umar personally, and she is not occupied, then she can sign your form straightaway.

If she is occupied, tell her don't rush, let her finish the job and come back to you. If you wait for her patiently (probably 30 min to an hour), then she will settle your case. Just make sure that you bring along with the offer letter so that she doesn't need to look for your documents in order to verify your status.

If you rush her, then you know the consequences. She'll probably tell you to leave your form in the office and to follow up in the next few days.