logo
All pre-university pathways to be placed under Higher Education Ministry

All pre-university pathways to be placed under Higher Education Ministry

The Star17-07-2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Plans are in motion to bring all pre-university pathways, including Form Six, under the Higher Education Ministry (MoHE), says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
"The government is currently planning to place everything under the ministry, including Form Six," the Higher Education Minister said, adding that implementation is expected either next year or the following year.
Zambry said this during the "In Person with Doc Zam" session, which was livestreamed as part of Universiti Malaya's Week-of-Welcome for the 2025/2026 academic session on Thursday (July 17).
He was responding to a student's question on why foundation studies (Asasi) fall under under his ministry while Form Six remains under the Education Ministry.
For more information, watch the full session here: https://www.youtube.com/live/By5r2-Hlx5U
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Zambry: Public varsities cannot cut local quotas
Zambry: Public varsities cannot cut local quotas

The Star

time2 hours ago

  • The Star

Zambry: Public varsities cannot cut local quotas

Future of technology: Zambry (right) opening the symposium at Setia Spice Convention Centre. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star GEORGE TOWN: There will be no compromise on the quotas for local students in public universities, even as these institutions welcome foreign students, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. Dismissing claims of an influx of foreign students in public universities, particularly from China, he said Malaysians are prioritised as determined by Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU), the centralised admission system. 'Public universities exist first and foremost to serve the children of Malaysia. 'As such, there is no truth to claims of an influx of foreign students in public universities,' he said at a press conference after launching the 32nd International Sympo­sium on the Physical and Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits held at the Setia Spice Convention Centre here yesterday. Zambry was responding to questions raised during parliamentary debates and recent public concerns, including those voiced by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. He said the enrolment of international students from over 150 countries is in line with the government's internationalisation policy and does not affect the intake of local students. He denied that public universities were reducing local student intakes in favour of international enrolment for financial reasons. 'The government has set clear intake targets and fee structures. 'Public universities are not permitted to reduce local quotas to accommodate foreign students for profit. That is against policy,' he added. Earlier, Dr Wee had highlighted statistics from a recent study by the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap), MCA's research think-tank, which revealed a worrying trend. Dr Wee said the sharp rise in foreign student enrolment at Malaysian public universities is outpacing that of local students, raising red flags about allocation of placements. Insap research shows that the percentage of increase in intake of foreign students rose much faster than the rate of increase for students under UPU. According to Insap, the number of Malaysian students enrolling in public universities saw a modest increase from 2018 to 2024. Enrolment grew from 172,719 students in 2018 to 191,450 students in 2024. This represents a total increase of 10.8%, which corresponds to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of just 1.73% – a relatively slow rate of growth. In contrast, the enrolment of non-Malaysian students during the same period saw a significant rise, from 10,003 students in 2018 to 19,731 students in 2024 – a total increase of 97.3%, or a CAGR of 11.99%. Dr Wee raised concerns that the growing preference for international admissions could be edging out deserving Malaysians from opportunities in taxpayer-funded institutions. 'I am not against the intake of international students. I am concerned over the use of open channels by public universities for student admissions, mostly due to insufficient funding. 'When their enrolment seems to be replacing spots meant for Malaysian students, it becomes an issue that needs addressing. 'The government must ensure universities are adequately funded so they don't have to resort to selling placements,' he said.

Minister refutes claims that Chinese student influx limits local university seats
Minister refutes claims that Chinese student influx limits local university seats

Sinar Daily

time12 hours ago

  • Sinar Daily

Minister refutes claims that Chinese student influx limits local university seats

He was responding to a statement made in Parliament yesterday by MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, who claimed that more students from China are gaining admission into public universities because they can afford it, compared to Malaysians. 07 Aug 2025 09:00pm Zambry said Malaysia hosts international students from more than 150 countries, including in private institutions of higher learning, in line with its internationalisation policy. - Bernama photo GEORGE TOWN - Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir today refuted allegations that an influx of students from China is limiting opportunities for local students to enter public universities in Malaysia. He said it is not true that the government is admitting Chinese nationals into foundation programmes of public universities at the expense of local students for the sake of profits. "We have never compromised on the policies set by the Central University Admission Unit (UPU). The priority at public institutions of higher learning (IPTA) is always Malaysian students, because IPTAs are meant to provide education for Malaysian children first. "It is not true that we are denying local students their rights. We have never sacrificed the UPU-set quota,' he told reporters after opening the IEEE International Symposium on the Physical and Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits (IPFA) 2025 at the Setia Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas today. He was responding to a statement made in Parliament yesterday by MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong, who claimed that more students from China are gaining admission into public universities because they can afford it, compared to Malaysians. Zambry said Malaysia hosts international students from more than 150 countries, including in private institutions of higher learning, in line with its internationalisation policy. "They choose Malaysia because they trust our education system. Previously, they may have opted for Western countries, but due to increased geopolitical tensions and competition, they've turned to Malaysia instead,' he said. He also described such allegations as causing unnecessary public anxiety and fuelling polemics that bring no benefit to the country. As such, he urged anyone with questions on the matter, including Members of Parliament, to engage in direct discussions and seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising the issue in Parliament. "I don't want to see the creation of polemics that only do harm. When we make baseless accusations, we stir up unnecessary concerns,' he said. - BERNAMA

Minister denies influx of students from China in public varsities
Minister denies influx of students from China in public varsities

Free Malaysia Today

time13 hours ago

  • Free Malaysia Today

Minister denies influx of students from China in public varsities

Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir tells MPs like Wee Ka Siong to engage in direct discussions and seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising such issues in Parliament. GEORGE TOWN : Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir has denied allegations that an influx of students from China is limiting opportunities for local students to enter public universities in Malaysia. He said the claim that foundation programmes at public universities were filled with such Chinese students is not true and that the government has never sacrificed local student quotas to make room for international students for the sake of greater profits. 'We have never compromised on the policies set by the Central University Admission Unit (UPU). The priority at public institutions of higher learning is always Malaysian students, because these institutions are meant to provide education for Malaysians first. 'It is not true that we are denying local students their rights. We have never sacrificed the UPU-set quota,' he told reporters after opening a symposium at the Setia Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas today. He was responding to a statement made in Parliament yesterday by MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who claimed that more students from China, compared to Malaysians, were gaining admission into public universities because they could afford it. Zambry said Malaysia hosts international students from more than 150 countries, including in private institutions of higher learning, in line with its internationalisation policy. 'They choose Malaysia because they trust our education system. Previously, they may have opted for Western countries, but due to increased geopolitical tensions and competition, they've turned to Malaysia instead.' He also described such allegations as causing unnecessary public anxiety and fuelling polemics that bring no benefit to the country. Zambry urged those with questions on the matter, including parliamentarians, to engage in direct discussions and seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising such issues in Parliament. 'I don't want to see the creation of polemics that only do harm. When we make baseless accusations, we stir up unnecessary concerns.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store