Latest news with #UnitPusatUniversiti
The Star
31-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Dr Wee concerned STPM top scorers may be missing out
DATUK Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) ( pic ) has raised concerns over the declining number of top Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) scorers being admitted into public universities through the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) system compared to matriculation and foundation pathway students since 2018. In response, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said offers to STPM and equivalent leavers for entry into public universities have actually increased by 90.1% over the past seven years. He said a total of 4,530 STPM and equivalent students were offered placements for the 2018/2019 academic session, compared to 8,612 in the 2024/2025 session, in a written reply in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. However, Dr Wee later said in a Facebook post that Zambry's response warranted further clarification with more detailed data. 'The statement that the number of offers to STPM graduates has nearly doubled must be clearly broken down, as it does not distinguish between qualification categories and critical study programmes. 'Why wasn't the data detailed according to the qualification types as asked – namely STPM, matriculation and foundation – as well as according to the programmes offered? The government must address public concerns and anxieties over a perceived decline in the intake of STPM students in critical programmes compared to matriculation and foundation students,' he said. Dr Wee also questioned the apparent lack of government funding for public universities, which he said had forced institutions to compensate for shortcomings through open admission channels, resulting in higher tuition fees for students. In response, Zambry clarified that these channels operate on an 'over and above' principle and do not affect the intake projections for the main admission stream. 'Open channels are also subject to an evaluation process and must meet all academic, language and programme requirements. There is no compromise on standards set by accredited bodies,' he said. Zambry added that the open channel model reflects the growing maturity of the higher education system amid an evolving academic landscape. 'This requires universities to be agile and equipped with their own financial resources,' he said. To this, Dr Wee said the reply was too general and did not address his question specifically. 'What is the actual number of seats allocated via the open channel for each academic session? Please also state the number of seats available through the UPU channel, as well as the total number of seats offered in critical programmes. 'How is the term 'do not affect' defined if there is no clear comparison between the two channels?' he said. Dr Wee further urged the government to provide evidence if there is truly no compromise in admission standards. 'I have received complaints from excellent students who failed to gain admission through UPU, but were later accepted through the commercial or open channel – provided they were willing to pay significantly higher fees. 'This is a clear example of a lack of transparency in merit-based evaluation and must be explained immediately,' he said. He added that raising commercial channel fees to boost university revenue, without transparency and fairness in student admissions, is a pro-elite policy. 'This is not a real solution. Public universities should instead focus on commercialising the outcomes of their research and development, rather than taking the easy way out by increasing fees through the open channel. 'The government should provide adequate allocations for the operating and development expenditures of public universities based on actual needs, while the Finance Ministry must grant the necessary approvals. 'As long as the Higher Education Ministry or the universities do not disclose detailed data, public concerns over the lack of transparency and fairness in the student intake system will persist,' he said.
The Star
30-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Public varsity placements for STPM holders rose by 90% over seven years, says Zambry
KUALA LUMPUR: The number of Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) and equivalent certificate leavers offered placements in public universities increased by 90.1% over the past seven years, the Dewan Rakyat was told. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir said a total of 4,530 STPM and equivalent leavers were offered placements for the 2018/2019 academic session while as many as 8,612 were offered for the 2024/2025 academic session. He also said there are open or commercial pathways that operate on an 'over and above' principle and do not interfere with projections for the main intake. 'Open channels will also have to undergo an evaluation process and adhere to qualifications, alongside compliance with academic conditions, language skills and programme criteria. 'There is no compromise on standards set by accredited bodies,' he said in a written reply on Wednesday (July 30). Zambry added that the open channel model shows the growing maturity of the higher education system, noting the rapid developments in the academic world. 'This requires universities to be quick on their feet and have their own financial resources,' he said. He stressed that the ministry is committed to ensuring access to tertiary education continues to grow and benefit all Malaysians. He was replying to Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam), who asked why fewer STPM top scorers were admitted through the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPU) system compared to matriculation and foundation students since 2018. Dr Wee also asked about a lack of government funding, forcing public universities to overcome the shortcomings through open channels, resulting in higher tuition fees.
The Star
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Review entry mechanisms'
PETALING JAYA: Outstanding students have had their applications to Universiti Malaya's critical courses rejected via the Unit Pusat Universiti (UPUOnline) centralised admission system, only to be given the same offer again under the direct entry system, says MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (pic). He said he has proof of such cases in which students who failed to get a place through UPUOnline were offered a place for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) under the Satu (open channel) route. Dr Wee cited a case of a student with excellent academic results who was denied admission under UPUOnline despite appeals but was later offered the same MBBS seat via Satu – provided he could pay RM300,000. 'This is something out of reach for B40 and M40 families. This is not an isolated incident. MCA has evidence of multiple cases. 'Such situations show how the system discriminates against students from B40 and M40 families who cannot afford such fees,' he said in a Facebook post. Dr Wee also said that it would be misleading to compare Satu to international models like UCAS in the United Kingdom or Australia's university system. 'Those systems offer financial aid and transparent data. Malaysia's Satu offers none of these protections. It's just pay – or be excluded. 'MCA never objected to having two admission pathways but we strongly oppose the structural discrimination that effectively excludes deserving students simply because they cannot pay RM300,000. 'That's not meritocracy but more of financial means which becomes the deciding factor,' he said. Dr Wee's criticism came following a statement on Friday by Universiti Malaya vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman dismissing MCA's concerns as 'misleading'. Dr Noor Azuan had said the dual channel approach was a strategic response for growing demand for limited placements in critical programmes such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy. On the fee hikes for students under the Satu channel, Dr Noor Azuan had said the adjustments were necessary to reflect the actual cost of providing high-quality medical education, particularly clinical training, and the maintenance of teaching hospital facilities. Refuting Noor Azuan, Dr Wee said the explanation given was inadequate. 'The vice-chancellor's response completely sidesteps the key issue – how financial ability seems to override merit in the MBBS admissions under Satu.' Dr Wee reiterated MCA's call for the 2025/2026 MBBS intake through Satu to be suspended immediately and urged the government to set up a Royal Commission of Inquiry to conduct a thorough and transparent review of public university admission systems. In his statement, Noor Azuan said irrespective of the pathway taken, students seeking admission into UM's MBBS programme must pass a standardised selection test and an interview before they are offered a spot. He had explained that Satu provides a chance for students seeking placement in competitive courses like medicine, pharmacy and dentistry where thousands of top students are turned away due to limited places. Noor Azuan said the higher fees apply only to Satu students and do not affect government subsidies for UPUOnline students. 'The fee adjustment is based on identified costs and it reflects the actual expenditure to deliver the programme and sustain the university's core functions,' said Noor Azuan. The fee increase for Universiti Malaya's MBBS programme – from RM299,200 in 2024/2025 to RM500,000 in 2025/2026 – has sparked public outcry, with critics warning it will make medical education unattainable for most STPM and matriculation graduates unless they are well-off. The criteria for enrolment in degree programmes differs between the UPUOnline and Satu channels. For UPUOnline, applicants need a minimum CGPA of 3.00-3.80, with a higher threshold of 3.80 for competitive courses like MBBS. Accepted qualifications include STPM, matriculation, Asasi UM, or equivalents such as A-Levels with AAA grades or IB with 36 points. Additionally, candidates must meet specific subject requirements, such as an A- in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Mathematics for MBBS. In contrast, Satu maintains similar academic standards but offers flexibility for non-current year qualifications. For Malaysians applying to MBBS through Satu, a CGPA of 3.80 is required.
