PUTRAJAYA, May 14 — The government today agreed on several new pathways for students outside the national education system into public higher learning institutions (IPTAs), the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) said in a statement.
It said that at a Cabinet meeting, the new pathways discussed are for students from tahfiz institutions, private schools, and Chinese independent secondary schools (SMPC) who sit for the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC).
It added that candidates from these streams who also have a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) may apply for any programme on UPUOnline, based on merit calculations according to subject packages determined by the Education Ministry (MOE) and subject to general and specific programme requirements by IPTAs.
“MOHE remains committed to ensuring inclusive, fair and quality access to higher education for all qualified students to pursue studies at IPTAs in the country, in line with the National Education Philosophy,” read the statement.
MOHE said candidates from these streams who sit for Bahasa Melayu and History papers, conducted by the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (LPM) and recognised by the MOE, may be considered for certain IPTA programmes.
For candidates from tahfiz institutions, among the programmes offered are diploma and bachelor’s degrees in dakwah, Quran and as-sunnah, tahfiz education, and Islamic studies.
Meanwhile, for candidates from SMPC/UEC, among the courses available are bachelor’s degrees in Chinese language studies and education.
“All applications will be processed based on the principles of meritocracy (and) academic qualification requirements, and are subject to the regulations and decisions of the University Senate,” the ministry said in the statement.
MOHE said the approach is aimed at making higher education more inclusive and accessible without compromising academic standards and the quality of the national higher education system.
