Latest news with #IEEEInternationalSymposium
Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Politics
- 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
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
MOHE directs polytechnics to revamp courses for semiconductor industry
GEORGE TOWN: The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has directed Politeknik Balik Pulau in Penang and Politeknik Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah in Kedah to reassess their course structures. This initiative aims to address the workforce needs of Malaysia's expanding semiconductor industry. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir highlighted the strategic locations of both institutions near the nation's semiconductor hub. 'I've instructed the two polytechnics in the northern region to re-evaluate the courses they offer,' he said. The goal is to align programmes with industry demands and reduce reliance solely on universities for skilled talent. Zambry stressed the need for polytechnics and community colleges to adapt within the semiconductor ecosystem. He spoke at the IEEE International Symposium on the Physical and Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits (IPFA) 2025. The event was held at the Setia Spice Convention Centre in Bayan Lepas. Zambry linked the move to Malaysia's ambition to lead in semiconductor design and manufacturing. A robust education-industry partnership is key to maintaining global competitiveness, he added. He praised Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for advancing chip development through industry collaborations. 'This proves our institutions can contribute to both front-end and back-end semiconductor processes,' he noted. USM and Universiti Malaysia Perlis are pivotal in engineering and semiconductor education, he said. Five MTUN universities also specialise in tech fields like AI and semiconductors. IPFA 2025, organised by USM's CEDEC, runs until August 8. The conference includes workshops, keynote speeches, and industry-led discussions on microelectronics. - Bernama
The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Zambry denies Chinese students taking local university quotas
GEORGE TOWN: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir dismissed allegations that Chinese students are displacing locals in public universities. He clarified that the government has not prioritised foreign students over Malaysians in foundation programmes. 'We have never compromised on the policies set by the Central University Admission Unit (UPU),' he said. He emphasised that public universities prioritise Malaysian students as their primary beneficiaries. 'It is not true that we are denying local students their rights,' he added. Zambry spoke after opening the IEEE International Symposium on the Physical and Failure Analysis of Integrated Circuits (IPFA) 2025 at the Setia Spice Convention Centre. His statement countered claims by MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong in Parliament. Wee had suggested that Chinese students secure spots in public universities due to financial advantages. Zambry noted that Malaysia welcomes international students from over 150 countries under its internationalisation policy. 'They choose Malaysia because they trust our education system,' he explained. He attributed the shift from Western countries to geopolitical tensions and competition. The minister warned against spreading unfounded allegations that create public anxiety. He urged MPs and others to seek constructive dialogue instead of politicising the issue. 'I don't want to see the creation of polemics that only do harm,' he stressed. - Bernama
Barnama
5 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
MOHE Orders Two Polytechnics To Review Courses To Support Semiconductor Industry
GENERAL GEORGE TOWN, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has instructed Politeknik Balik Pulau in Penang and Politeknik Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah (previously known as Politeknik Kulim) in Kedah to review their course offerings to support the growing needs of the high-tech industry, particularly the rapidly expanding semiconductor sector. Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said both polytechnics are located near the nation's semiconductor hub. '…I've instructed the two polytechnics in the northern region to re-evaluate the courses they offer, so they can realign their programmes to meet the growing demand of this rapidly developing sector. 'We don't want to place the responsibility solely on universities. We also want to see changes in polytechnics and community colleges, especially those located within the relevant ecosystem,' 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 said the move aligns with the government's efforts to develop a comprehensive ecosystem that supports Malaysia's aspirations to become a leader in the semiconductor sector, including chip design and manufacturing, ultimately ensuring the country remains competitive in the global technology landscape. Zambry also emphasised the importance of building a comprehensive education ecosystem while strengthening collaborative networks between universities and industry through long-term strategic approaches, particularly in the fields of engineering and semiconductors. He said universities such as Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Malaysia Perlis play a leading role in these fields. 'We also have five universities under the Malaysia Technical University Network (MTUN) that specialise in high-level technical fields including engineering, semiconductors, IT, and AI,' he added. Zambry also commended USM for successfully developing its chip through collaborations with various industry partners, adding that the achievement reflects the capability of the country's higher education institutions in participating not only in the back-end aspects of the semiconductor industry but also in the front-end in chip design and manufacturing.
Barnama
5 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Zambry Denies Claim Chinese Nationals Taking Local Student Quotas
GEORGE TOWN, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- 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 Dr 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.
