KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 — The Limkokwing University of Creative Technology has announced the death of a student pursuing his doctorate.

The private tertiary institution is also believed to have suspended classes at the university for today.

In a message posted hours ago on its official Twitter account, the private university also posted a photo of the student who was born in 1985, along with the note "in loving memory”.

"It is with the deepest regret that we report the demise of Orhions Ewansiha Thomas. Pursuing his PhD in Management, Mr Thomas was an inspired young man.

"All of us at Limkokwing University wish to express our heartfelt wishes of love and support to all affected,” the university tweeted.

Malay Mail received a notice purported to be from the university’s management which bore the Limkokwing logo that advised students that classes were suspended today.

The notice added that all activities will resume next Monday.

The university has since confirmed the suspension of classes today, but said the decision was made "in memory” of Thomas rather than concern over rumours of a mass protest, which did not happen at its Cyberjaya campus.

The university also offered its condolences to Thomas’ family, after being notified of his death by the Nigerian High Commission yesterday.

The 33-year-old is survived by a wife and two young children.

The Immigration Department of Malaysia today also clarified that Thomas was detained last week after he attempted to flee in a July 4 raid in Kuala Lumpur.

The department said Thomas confirmed he was not suffering from any illnesses at the start of his detention and was given medical attention for an old wound.

The department said that he was detained for 14 days for further investigation despite initial checks of his passport showed he had a valid student pass, as his actions in fleeing raised doubts on the authenticity of the student pass.

It said Thomas and others detained during the raid were placed on June 5 at the Bukit Jalil immigration depot on June 5, adding that they were treated well and according to standard operating procedures throughout their detention.

It added that the officer on duty at the Bukit Jalil immigration depot was alerted at around 12.05am on July 9 by other detainees of Thomas’ seizure during his sleep, which was then followed by immediate medical treatment by a special treatment unit on duty, as well as further assistance from an ambulance that arrived at 12.30am before he was verified as dead.

The Immigration Department is currently awaiting a full autopsy to determine his cause of death.

Malay Mail has reached out to the Nigeria High Commission for further information, but has yet to receive a response.