PUTRAJAYA – Students from outside the national education system who are admitted into public universities and higher education institutions, also known as IPTA (Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Awam), through a special pathway will still receive government subsidies just like other students.
Higher Education Director-General Datuk Dr Azlinda Azman clarified that the affected students will pursue their studies through the mainstream channel and not under a commercial category.
“When they enter this programme, it is considered a mainstream channel. This means their programmes are also subsidised by the government.
"I know there are parties saying that by taking this route, they might have to pay external or commercial fees. No, they do not,” she said during a special press conference here today.
She said this when asked about the tuition fee financing mechanism for students from outside the national education system, namely Chinese Independent High Schools (SMPC), the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) and tahfiz (religious schools) — who are admitted to public universities.
Previously, education expert Dr Anuar Ahmad expressed the view that students from outside the national education system should not enjoy government funding.
The Deputy Director of the Malaysian Institute of Inclusive Development and Advancement, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (MINDA-UKM), stated that the issue of education subsidies must be viewed fairly in relation to students who have been within the national education system from the very beginning.
However, Azlinda said the government opened this admission avenue to ensure higher education access is more inclusive.
“We are providing this space, and we are sincerely offering this opportunity through the mainstream channel,” she said.
The Higher Education Ministry reported on Thursday that the government is allowing school leavers from SMPC, UEC and tahfiz institutions the opportunity to pursue specific identified programmes at universities.
The move was agreed upon based on a Cabinet meeting decision on the admission pathways into IPTAs for students from outside the national education system.
For candidates from these streams who also hold a full Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) qualification, they can apply for any study programme offered through the UPU Online system. Their entry will be calculated based on merit according to the subject packages set by the Education Ministry.
Meanwhile, for SMPC and UEC school leavers, the identified programmes include the Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language Studies with Honours, Bachelor of Chinese Language and Linguistics, Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies, and Bachelor of Chinese Language with Education.