Malaysia Introduces New Public University Pathway For Tahfiz, UEC And Private School Students
KUALA LUMPUR: The government has approved a new alternative pathway into public universities for students from religious schools, private schools and Chinese independent secondary schools, including holders of the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
In a statement, Ministry of Higher Education said the Cabinet-approved decision is aimed at expanding access to higher education for students outside the national education system through a more inclusive and structured approach.
According to the ministry, the new framework introduces two separate admission pathways.
Under the first pathway, students from the relevant educational streams who possess a full Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate may apply for any academic programme through the UPUOnline system like other applicants.
Their applications will be processed based on merit and subject to the general and specific requirements of each programme.
Meanwhile, the second pathway is designed for students who do not hold a full SPM certificate but have passed the Bahasa Melayu and History subjects in the examination.
Through this pathway, students may apply for selected diploma and degree programmes identified as suitable for their educational background.
For graduates from religious and tahfiz schools, the programmes offered include studies in Dakwah, Al-Quran and As-Sunnah, and Tahfiz Education.
Meanwhile, graduates from Chinese independent secondary schools may apply for programmes focusing on Chinese language and cultural studies, including Bachelor’s degrees in Chinese Language Studies and Chinese Language and Linguistics.
Ministry of Higher Education stressed that all applications will be evaluated based on meritocracy principles and remain subject to the final approval of each university’s Senate.
The move is seen as part of broader efforts to widen higher education opportunities for students from diverse educational backgrounds across the country.
-wilayah.com.my
