The case had gone viral on social media recently.

Minister Noraini Ahmad said that UM had lodged a police report and handed over the investigations to the relevant authorities.

“Investigations in such cases are handed over to universities, which enjoy autonomy.

“UM has conducted its own investigations and lodged a police report for further action,” she said when met by reporters after closing the Komuniti@KKBSe Carnival, at the Bagan Serai Community College compound here today.

She was commenting on the case of a foreign student lodging a police report against UM, claiming that his research was taken without his knowledge.

In a video clip lasting more than one minute, the student claimed that he had spent almost two years completing the study and was disappointed when his study was stolen by the university.

On Aug 29, UM issued a statement denying the allegation.

It said it was the university’s policy that research and academic studies of its students were the property of the university.

UM also said it had lodged a police report to refute the student’s accusations and appropriate legal action was being considered.

It also said the university had provided opportunities and resources to help the student involved complete his PhD, including the extension of the study period by three semesters, after the maximum period of 12 semesters, with fees sponsored by the faculty.

However, UM said the student did not complete his studies within the extended period given. UM also provided several counselling sessions and appointed an additional supervisor to help him.