21 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
TVET applications for July 2025 soar to over 189,000
PETALING JAYA: Applications to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions for the July 2025 intake have surged to 189,304, surpassing the initial target of 150,000.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the significant increase reflects growing public confidence in technical education, which is being positioned as a key pillar in Malaysia's national development strategy.
Up to June 15, applications submitted through the UP_TVET system comprised 166,064 under UP_TVET Perdana and 23,240 under UP_TVET Flexi.
"This increase specifically relates to the upcoming July 2025 intake. Last year, we received only 25,000 applications, but this year, the number has jumped to 189,304," Zahid said.
He was speaking at a press conference after chairing the MEXCLUB Coordination Meeting (1/2025) here today (June 26).
Zahid, who also chairs the National TVET Council, said the government is offering alternative study opportunities to Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia holders who were unable to secure a place at public universities due to limited spaces.
"We are extending this opportunity to all eligible students through the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), which comprises six universities, including Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM)," he said.
"UniKL offers programmes in technical disciplines, and UPTM focuses on professional fields."
He added that STPM leavers with strong academic results may also apply for foundation programmes at either UniKL or UPTM.
Zahid had projected, on May 19, that applications for TVET programmes nationwide could reach 150,000 by the end of the June intake period.
The estimate was based on early application trends following the launch of the centralised TVET Intake Unit (UP_TVET) in April.
Between April 1 and 30, more than 106,000 applications were submitted under the new system.
Developed by the Human Resources Ministry, the UP_TVET platform was introduced in May last year to streamline and coordinate applications to TVET institutions across 12 ministries and private agencies nationwide.
