Latest news with #UPUOnline
The Star
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Asean News Headlines at 10pm on Sunday (Aug 10, 2025)
Malaysia: * Sultan Ibrahim's state visit to Russia strengthens bilateral ties / King returns home after maiden state visit to Russia * Well-wishes, prayers pour in for Anwar on his 78th birthday * Malaysia, Asean missions celebrate Asean Day 2025 in The Hague * UPUOnline records 511,006 admissions for public universities * Jalur Gemilang must be displayed correctly, says Loke * Zara Qairina autopsy completed / Lawyer denies Zara's screams captured in viral recording * Don't hinder police probe into Zara Qairina's death, says Hajiji * Shafie pledges no corruption, only progress for Sabah * Police busts ganja syndicate in Kelantan, seize 35kg of cannabis, pistol * Johor cops detain four bikers for reckless riding in Iskandar Puteri * Tackling teen vaping Sarawak, ministry develops working paper * Penang plans new tuna port to boost landings * Nancy: Ministry acting, not silent on student's case * Woman loses more than RM2.33mil in elaborate love scam * Malaysia's pursuit of 123 Agreement shows commitment to safe, reliable nuclear partnership Singapore: * Singapore's biggest corporate scandal - the criminal trial of Hyflux founder Olivia Lum and five others starts on Aug 11 * Italian Brainrot: the AI memes only kids know these days, but a real blur for most adults * 'Last' meals: How durian, chilli crab and KFC bring comfort to the dying in Singapore * 50 evacuated after HDB flat catches fire in Jalan Bahagia * Bridge-building for mutual prosperity - Two countries that had been joined went their separate ways 60 years ago Indonesia: * South Korea to send special envoys to Indonesia this week: Presidential Office * 'Kebaya': Living history, modern elegance in Indonesia * Bali cracks down on unruly tourists * Review: 'Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound' lovingly revives classic 2D experience * Top Chinese diplomat Liu Jianchao taken in for questioning, say reports Thailand: * Consular aid for M'sians set on fire in Bangkok * Chinese influencer in Thailand shares trafficker-taken photos online to find birth family * Thai King endorses Vitai Ratanakorn's appointment as Bank of Thailand Chief; new man has promised to improve country's economy * Cannabis reclassification boosts tourism, say Thai tourism associations * Would you eat 'Reptile Egg' dessert? Here's the story behind Khanom Khai Hia! An Indonesian performer dressed in an origami-themed costume takes part in a 3.6-kilometer parade during the Jember Fashion Carnival in Jember, eastern Java island, on Sunday, August 10, 2024. -- Photo by Juni KRISWANTO / AFP Philippines: * Three killed and one injured in clash in southern Philippines * Marcos says court order has no bearing on the Merits of VP Duterte's impeachment case * Nearly P3mil shabu seized in Zamboanga weeklong ops * Philippine House resolution seeks probe into Bureau of Correction's alleged rights violations Vietnam: * World Police Music Festival 2025 opens in Hanoi * Vietnamese man remanded for attempted kidnap, shoplifting * Vietnamese police bust cross-border surrogacy ring, rescue 11 infants * Bus crashes into two vehicles on Genting descent, no fatalities reported Myanmar: * Anti-vice raids arrest 288, including over 60 Myanmar GROs * Heavy rains and strong winds expected in Myanmar from August 10 to 15 * PEACE TALK 2025 concludes in Myanmar with 12 short-term recommendations and 10 long-term action plans Cambodia: * Thailand claims three soldiers injured by landmine along border, Cambodia strongly refutes * Military attachés inspect conflict-affected areas, sanctuaries in Cambodia Laos: * Preah Sihanouk governor orders medical care for 'lost' Thai national * Australian international school donates 111 million kip to province in north-eastern Laos Brunei: * China's "HYSY 295" vessel begins maiden Brunei marine mission * Brunei boosts rice production to achieve self-sufficiency An Indonesian performer dressed in allograph-themed costumes takes part in a 3.6-kilometer parade during the Jember Fashion Carnival in Jember, eastern Java island, on Sunday, August 10, 2024. -- Photo by Juni KRISWANTO / AFP AseanPlus: * A fine achievement - Malaysian darters qualify for WDF World Cup after an absence of 14 years * Police seek witnesses in child molestation case involving Bangladeshi worker * Bangladesh chief advisor Dr Muhammad Yunus to undertake official visit to Malaysia * Malaysia, Australia celebrate 70 years of deepening strategic partnership * Ipoh to strengthen ties with Nanning, China on trade, tech exchanges * Kelantan police hunting two friends linked to singer Eda Ezrin's case * Ex-Malaysian beauty queen achieves second climbing record * 'Heartbreaking': Bear in India refuses to abandon dying cub struck by speeding car * China's chipmakers to see small impact from Trump's 100% tariff on imports: CLSA * 'Reduce reliance': Can US and Europe break free from China's rare earth grip? * South Korea's military has shrunk by 20% in six years as male population drops * Celebrity Style: Blackpink's Jisoo is effortlessly chic and always on point * UN Security Council holds urgent meeting on Israel's Gaza City plan * US debuts hypersonic missile in Australia. Is it a deterrent against China? * China rocket shortage means it may have to pick a favoured Starlink challenger * Japan's Shinmoedake volcano erupts, sending ash plume well above 3,000m * Two Japanese boxers die after brain injuries at the same Tokyo event * Chinese state media says Nvidia H20 chips not safe for China * China's fiery baijiu spirit evolves to attract younger drinkers * Seven dead after wall collapse in India's capital * Death toll from northwest China floods rises to 13 * Man in critical condition following shooting in eastern Australia * North Korea begins dismantling propaganda loudspeakers along border * Warning against adult pacifiers cites potential health hazards * Yomiuri sues US AI startup over use of articles; Perplexity allegedly used over 100,000 news stories * Bomb threat reported at South Korea's Olympic gymnastics arena; delaying concert by K-pop top group The Boyz * A region on the move - Youth mobility across Asean remains limited by fragmented visa systems * Athletics - Indian Open: Muhammad Azeem wins gold, Danish Iftikhar bronze in 100m sprint * Football - From Malaysia to Portugal, towering defender Paarveen takes giant leap * Football - Ex-Perak coach Teong Kim awarded RM1.04mil in unfair dismissal case
The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
UPUOnline records 511,006 admissions for public universities
KUALA NERUS: The UPUOnline system has recorded a total of 511,006 admissions for undergraduate programmes in public universities nationwide this year, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir. He said of the total, 497,020 admissions or 97.26% were local students, while 13,986, or 2.74% were foreigners. Zambry dismissed claims suggesting that local student quotas were being reduced to accommodate foreign students. "After meeting the needs and criteria for local students, universities may allocate limited spaces for foreign students, particularly to support internationalisation efforts aimed at enhancing university rankings," he told reporters after officiating the launch of the Akademia Complex at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu here on Sunday (Aug 10). In a related matter, Zambry also rejected claims that foreign students in the country are primarily enrolled in medical courses, limiting opportunities for local students. He further refuted allegations that foreign students are charged lower fees than local students. In another matter, Zambry stated that the Higher Education Ministry is monitoring water supply issues at higher education institutions, including those in Sabah and other states. While water supply falls under state jurisdiction, Zambry said the ministry would assist finding solutions if water shortages affect institutional operations. – Bernama
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
UPUOnline records 511,006 admissions for public university programmes
KUALA NERUS: The UPUOnline system has recorded 511,006 admissions for undergraduate programmes in public universities nationwide this year. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir revealed that 497,020 admissions, or 97.26%, were local students. Foreign students accounted for 13,986 admissions, making up 2.74% of the total. Zambry dismissed claims that local student quotas were being reduced to accommodate foreign students. 'After meeting local student needs, universities may allocate limited spaces for foreign students to support internationalisation efforts,' he said. He clarified that such measures aim to enhance university rankings globally. Zambry also rejected claims that foreign students dominate medical courses, limiting opportunities for locals. He denied allegations that foreign students pay lower fees than local students, calling these claims unfounded. On a separate issue, Zambry addressed water supply challenges faced by higher education institutions. He stated that the Ministry of Higher Education is monitoring the situation, including in Sabah and other states. While water supply is a state matter, MOHE will assist if shortages disrupt institutional operations. 'We will resolve the issue, whether it's due to system failures, supply shortages, or political interference,' he added. Zambry spoke after officiating the Akademia Complex launch at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. - Bernama
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Be fair to tax-paying Malaysians, Dr Wee tells DAP on public university enrolment issue
PETALING JAYA: Is it fair for tax-paying Malaysians, whose children aspire to enter public universities, to be denied opportunities due to those institutions' commercialisation measures, asked MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. Challenging DAP to base their arguments on facts instead of rhetoric, Dr Wee noted that his remarks in Dewan Rakyat were grounded in actual sentiment and concern over the management of public universities. "It's about educational opportunities for all Malaysians... while public universities expand revenue-generating international intakes through non-transparent mechanisms and commercialise admissions via the open channel," he said in a statement on Friday (Aug 8). Such practices. He said, resulting in extremely high tuition fees, ranging from RM400,000 to RM500,000, compared to RM15,000 to RM200,000 through the centralised admission system (UPUOnline) for a five-year MBBS course. "The core of this issue is not about race. It is about access, equity, fairness and accountability,' added Dr Wee. Dr Wee was responding to Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee's claims that Dr Wee was trying to paint public universities in a negative light. Lee had claimed that across the 20 public universities, the total number of Chinese nationals studying undergraduate programmes was 7,930, while Malaysian undergraduates of Chinese descent were no less than 41,176. Lee, however, did not state the source of these figures. "Do we want to provide more space for Malaysians in our public universities? Absolutely. Are 41,176 Malaysian Chinese undergraduates enough? Certainly not. "It will never be enough until the day we achieve universal and free public higher education – and we are still a long way from having that fiscal capacity," he said in a statement. Lee also wanted Dr Wee to apologise in Parliament for "lying" about mainland Chinese students outnumbering locals in our public universities. On Wednesday, Dr Wee reiterated his concerns about the sharp rise in the percentage of foreign student enrolment at Malaysia's public universities that is outpacing that of local students, raising red flags about the allocation of placements. Citing a recent study by the Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap), he said the number of Malaysian students enrolling in public universities increased modestly from 172,719 in 2018 to 191,450 in 2024, reflecting a 10.8% rise and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of merely 1.73%. In stark contrast, non-Malaysian enrolment surged from 10,003 in 2018 to 19,731 in 2024, marking a 97.3% increase and a CAGR of 11.99%. While not against the intake of international students, Dr Wee said it becomes an issue when their enrolment seems to be replacing spots meant for Malaysian students. 'We must ensure a balance that respects the educational needs of our own creme de la creme," he said. Civil society group G25 also stated their concerns about the increasing commercialisation of public services under the guise of "financial sustainability." They highlighted the trend of prioritising direct intakes in public universities and the privatisation of healthcare, warning that such practices could exacerbate socio-economic divides. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir had also recently responded to Dr Wee, stating that the government continues to prioritise Malaysians, with no compromise on the quotas allocated for local students in public universities. MCA then urged Zambry to make known admissions data for public universities, adding that the intake of foreign students must not come at the expense of local students. Zambry's insistence that international students were not displacing locals was insufficient to allay concerns without clear, transparent figures, said party vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Bright locals must not be edged out
Dr Wee: 'Our education system should be a platform for social mobility, allowing children from underprivileged families to achieve higher education.' — SAMUEL ONG/The Star PETALING JAYA: The sharp rise in foreign student enrolment at Malaysia's public universities is outpacing that of local students, raising red flags about allocation of placements, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong. The MCA president sounded the warning while highlighting 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. He 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. 'However, when their enrolment seems to be replacing spots meant for Malaysian students, it becomes an issue that needs addressing. 'We must ensure a balance that respects the educational needs of our own creme de la creme,' he told reporters here yesterday. According to Insap, the number of Malaysian students enrolling in public universities saw a modest increase from 2018 to 2024. Specifically, 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% per year – a relatively slow rate of growth. In stark 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. This considerable jump reflects a total increase of 97.3%, with a CAGR of 11.99% per year. 'This indicates that the rate at which non-Malaysian students are being admitted to public universities is accelerating at a much faster pace compared to their Malaysian counterparts,' said Dr Wee. He also expressed concern over the use of open channels by public universities for student admissions, mostly due to insufficient funding. 'Almost every public university has adopted this method under various names. While universities need adequate funds for development, we must not allow financial capability to become the primary criterion for entry,' he said. MCA has received hundreds of complaints about bright and deserving students being rejected from public university placement under Malaysia's centralised university admission system (UPUOnline) but offered via the open channel of their universities. Dr Wee emphasised the importance of maintaining the fundamental principles of public universities, which should focus on academic excellence and social mobility. 'Regardless of their background, students who demonstrate exceptional capabilities should be given the opportunity to succeed,' he said. 'We must not let financial incentives or international rankings overshadow the fundamental role of our universities – to nurture and develop our brightest minds for the future.' Dr Wee has also called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to examine these practices and ensure that the admission policies remain true to their original objectives. 'Our public universities were built with taxpayers' money, and their fees should not be higher than those of private institutions. 'The government must ensure that universities are adequately funded so they don't have to resort to selling placements,' he added, highlighting the importance of prioritising Malaysian students while welcoming internationalisation. 'We must strike a balance that allows our universities to thrive globally while ensuring that Malaysian students are not left behind.' Calling for a holistic approach to address these issues, Dr Wee reiterated the need for strategic policy adjustments to ensure equitable access to higher education for all Malaysians. 'Our education system should be a platform for social mobility, allowing children from underprivileged families to achieve higher education. 'We must not forget it was the original objective of establishing public universities,' he said.
