JOHOR BAHRU, Sept 17 — Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has described the claims that local students are being discriminated against as unfounded, while emphasising its role as a platform for knowledge, research, and innovation that shapes the progress of the people and the country.
It said that every learning programme it offers was developed based on market requirement research, through the involvement of industry panellists, as well as obtaining accreditation from the relevant professional bodies.
This approach ensured that UTM's curriculum remained relevant with current developments, with its graduates achieving stipulated rates of employment and marketability for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024.
"At the undergraduate level, the percentage of international students in UTM in 2024 was seven per cent, involving students from 56 countries, and this reflects the balance between international openness with priority for local students.
"Only 1.2 per cent are undergraduate students from China, and not as claimed. While places at the Bachelor's level are always being increased based on the principle of meritocracy, which is inclusive for all races. As such, claims that local students are discriminated against are baseless,” it said in a statement today.
UTM, which occupies the 153rd position in the QS World University Rankings 2026 as a result of the efforts and commitment of its personnel, also stressed that the negative perceptions created can damage its image.
"We will continue to consistently produce quality graduates through a tradition of excellence in knowledge, based on Science, Engineering, and Technology.
"This commitment is in tandem with the philosophy and objectives of its establishment in producing competitive Malaysian talent and contributing meaningfully towards national progress,” it said.
On Monday (September 15), a news portal quoted a politician claiming that about 1.9 million local graduates from various races are currently not getting jobs commensurate with their educational qualifications.
He also claimed that 21 per cent or about 39,000 places in five public universities that were supposed to have been filled by local students had been given to foreign students, and that the government provided ample opportunity for graduates from China and Bangladesh through the Graduate Pass scheme, which enables them to work in Malaysia.
