I was sponsored under MOSTI's National Science Fellowship. It's been 6 months since I sent in my SPA application, no offer from any IPTAs yet. The clerk at the submissions counter told me there's a high chance they'll release the bond as the government can't afford to hire new staff at the moment.

Not too sure about that. Previously it was 1 year contract, then convert to permanent afterwards. With the pinch we're in now, I'm not too sure if that still applies.

Lecturing positions are aplenty especially in private institutions. However, language proficiency is still a major issue for most (English is crucial as we have a large number of foreign students). I've interviewed at least 10 candidates from public universities in the last year or so, and we've hired only 2 of them. As an alumni of a public university myself, it saddens me to know that these people who don't make the cut will eventually be absorbed back into their alma mater, degrading the teaching quality over time.

I know quite a lot of them doing PhD in my university and overseas. Usually fellowship scheme is for candidates to pursue PhD at Top Tier University (Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard or any Top 20 Uni in the world). I don't know whether they still send students overseas with our economic conditions. However I do believe the scheme is still there. The staff from the uni who want to continue PhD will be given the priority for this scholarship but you still can apply. All you have to do is to download the forms from HR department or maybe you can email them if it is not available through their website. Then they will invite you for interview if they like it. Waiting time from submission of the form to their first decision depends on department you are applying. If the Ketua Jabatan likes you so much, then you will get it. But if they don't like you, then forget it (based on my experience).