Latest news with #Zambry
The Star
4 hours ago
- 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 Sun
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Universities told to enhance safety rules following dorm murder
PETALING JAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has moved to tighten safety regulations across all public and private universities nationwide following the murder of a female student at a private university dormitory in Cyberjaya. In a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ministry remained committed to ensuring institutions of higher learning provide a safe and conducive environment for students, both on and off campus. Zambry said under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555), the chief executive of every private university is responsible for overseeing student welfare, discipline, administration and academic affairs in an orderly and accountable manner. 'To enhance safety standards, the ministry has begun enforcing two existing guidelines – the Off-Campus Student Management Guidelines introduced in 2021 and the Private Higher Education Institutions Premises Standards and Guidelines issued in 2023. 'They serve as references for all institutions to improve the safety and comfort of student accommodation, particularly for those residing off campus.' Following the incident, the ministry has instructed all institutions to fully implement the guidelines. It has also proposed the establishment of structured Off-Campus Student Management units at larger institutions or the appointment of dedicated officers to handle student housing matters on smaller campuses. In addition, institutions are encouraged to engage regularly with community stakeholders such as the Rukun Tetangga, community crime watch groups, joint management bodies and the police to strengthen monitoring and security efforts. Zambry said the ministry also recommends that off-campus student housing be managed on a block basis to avoid mixed occupancy with the general public. This would make it easier to monitor and respond to potential threats. Other measures include improving lighting in high-risk areas, increasing the number of CCTVs, hiring more security personnel and mapping out accommodation zones with elevated safety risks. 'Student welfare is a shared responsibility involving the ministry, campus administrators, enforcement agencies and local communities. The government will not compromise on student safety.'
The Sun
21 hours ago
- The Sun
Govt tightens campus safety rules after Cyberjaya murder
PETALING JAYA: The Higher Education Ministry has moved to tighten safety regulations across all public and private universities nationwide following the murder of a female student at a private university dormitory in Cyberjaya. In a written parliamentary reply yesterday, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ministry is committed to ensuring that institutions of higher learning provide a safe and conducive environment for students, both on and off campus. Zambry noted that under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996 (Act 555), the chief executive of every private university is responsible for overseeing student welfare, discipline, administration, and academic affairs in an orderly and accountable manner. 'To enhance safety standards, the ministry has begun enforcing two existing guidelines — the Off-Campus Student Management Guidelines introduced in 2021, and the Private Higher Education Institutions Premises Standards and Guidelines issued in 2023. 'These frameworks serve as references for all institutions to improve the safety and comfort of student accommodation, particularly for those residing off-campus.' Following the incident, the ministry has instructed all institutions to fully implement the guidelines. It has also proposed the establishment of structured Off-Campus Student Management Units at larger institutions, or the appointment of dedicated officers to handle student housing matters in smaller campuses. In addition, institutions are encouraged to engage regularly with community stakeholders such as Rukun Tetangga, community crime watch groups, joint management bodies, and the police to strengthen monitoring and security. Zambry said the ministry recommends that off-campus student housing be managed on a block basis to avoid mixed occupancy with the general public, as this would make it easier to monitor and respond to potential threats. He added that additional safety measures are being taken, including improving lighting in high-risk areas, increasing the number of CCTV installations, hiring more security personnel, and mapping out accommodation areas with elevated safety risks. 'To ensure ongoing compliance, the ministry will intensify periodic inspections and audits, and take enforcement action against any institution that fails to meet the required standards. 'Student welfare is a shared responsibility involving the ministry, campus administrators, enforcement agencies, and local communities – and the government will not compromise on matters of student safety.'
The Star
a day ago
- 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.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
Higher Education Ministry strengthens student safety after Cyberjaya murder
KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry has implemented several follow-up actions following the tragic murder of a female student at a private university hostel in Cyberjaya. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ministry remains committed to ensuring that all institutions of higher education, including private institutions, provide a safe, conducive, and secure learning environment, especially within accommodation premises. In response to a question by Datuk Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PH-Balik Pulau) in the Dewan Rakyat, Zambry said the ministry has taken immediate and comprehensive steps to strengthen student safety and security. These include expanding the use of the Guidelines for Off-Campus Student Management to all private institutions and ensuring compliance with existing guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The ministry is also proposing the establishment of Off-Campus Student Management Units (UPLK) in a structured manner or through the appointment of a dedicated portfolio, particularly for smaller institutions of higher learning. "Additionally, private institutions of higher learning are encouraged to hold regular engagement sessions with Rukun Tetangga (Neighbourhood Committees), Community Crime Watch, Joint Management Bodies (JMB) of apartments and condominiums, and the police. "The ministry is also recommending off-campus student accommodations be rented en bloc to improve security, rather than mixed-unit rental with public tenants. "This also includes safety features at off-campus student housing, such as installing additional CCTV cameras, increasing the number of security guards, improving lighting in high-risk areas (hotspots), and identifying high-risk residential zones," he said. Zambry added that the ministry takes the matter seriously and is committed to upholding student safety in line with the provisions under the Private Higher Educational Institutions Act 1996. He said the Act also places responsibility on the chief executives of private institutions of higher learning to ensure that matters related to teaching, administration, student welfare, and discipline are carried out in an orderly and safe manner, as outlined in subsection 33(a). Zambry also noted that the ministry has introduced two key safety frameworks, which are the Guidelines for Off-Campus Student Management at Institutions of Higher Education (2021) and the Guidelines and Standards for Private Higher Educational Institution Premises (2023). He said these documents serve as references for private higher educational institutions in providing secure and conducive accommodation for their students. "To strengthen ongoing compliance, the Higher Education Ministry has set targets for regular inspections and monitoring of private higher educational institutions. Various inspections, compliance audits, and verifications have been carried out by the ministry, including those arising from complaints, directives, or closures. "Student safety and well-being is a shared responsibility. It involves not just the ministry, but also enforcement agencies, institutions of higher education management, and the wider campus community. "The Higher Education Ministry does not compromise on safety, and we will continue to address any weaknesses systematically and firmly," he said.
