The university said today a police report has been lodged to deny the student’s claims, and appropriate legal action was being considered.

The statement said the PhD candidate had been unable to complete his studies despite being given an extension of three extra semesters.

The statement came in response to claims made on social media by an international student who said all his PhD research had been stolen by UM.

The student claimed that other local students had suffered the same experience, some after more than a decade pursuing their doctorate degree.

However, UM said its policy was that research and scientific results remained the property of the university.

It said the university had given the student the opportunity and resources to complete his studies, including extending and sponsoring his study period three semesters beyond the maximum of 12 semesters.

“The university also held several counselling sessions and appointed additional supervisors to assist him,” it said, adding that the candidate was still unable to complete his studies within the extension period given.

The candidate said on social media that he had taken a job while pursuing his doctorate. After spending two and a half years completing the required tasks, he suddenly found himself unable to access his research files, he alleged.

“Suddenly, the username and password had been changed,” the candidate said. Upon contacting the supervisor, he was informed that his work “belongs to the university”.

He said he had personally built all the hardware and software that was taken.

“I’m not the only student, local students have been through the same process and they quit after three or four years,” he said.