More candidates get varsity places this year

PETALING JAYA: All except two of the 3,271 candidates who applied for entry into public universities for the 2015/2016 academic session with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of four have received offers.

Higher Education Department di­­rector-general Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail said the two candidates did not get places as they did not meet the requirements.

“If the candidate obtained average results and applied for a competitive programme, then there is a big possibility he or she might not receive an offer,” she said in a statement on the entry to public universities for candidates with STPM, matriculation or foundation qualifications for their first degrees.

Candidates, she added, who only applied to popular public universities would have faced stiff competition and might not have received any offers.

Prof Dr Asma said the Higher Edu­­cation Ministry was concerned about candidates with good results who did not receive any offers.

“Those who agreed to accept any programme when applying for en­­try would receive offers outside of their choices,” she said.

A total of 49,841 students were accepted into 20 public universities.

This offer includes Universiti Sains Malaysia and Universiti Malaya which have been in charge of their own intake since obtaining autonomy in 2008 and 2015 respectively.

Candidates were given the op­­tions to choose from 12 programmes through the Student Entry Ma­­nagement Division under the Hi­­gher Education Department and three chosen disciplines.

She said they needed to decide on a course based on their academic achievement, requirements and interest.

There are about 1,200 program­mes in diploma and degree levels in 20 public universities.

Prof Dr Asma said 63,942 candidates with STPM, matriculation or foundation qualifications applied for entry into public universities for the 2015/2016 academic year.

Under the selection process for entry into first-degree programmes, she said 10% of the weightage went to extra-curricular activities while 90% was on academic achievement.

She also said 47 orang asli, 70 students with special needs and 69 athletes were accepted.

Prof Dr Asma said public universities would be giving offer letters to successful candidates from tomorrow, adding that they had 10 days to accept.

Those who did not get offers may make an e-appeal at upu.mohe.gov.my from noon today.

“New candidates must register at public universities on Sept 1 and Sept 2,” said Prof Dr Asma.

She said the results of the e-appeal were expected to be announced at noon on Sept 14.

“The appeal is dependent on va­­cancies after new students have registered,” she said.

She said candidates could appeal directly to the respective universities after this date.

Prof Asma said candidates could check if they have been successfully accepted into public universities for the 2015/2016 academic session from 12pm today (Aug 11).

They can visit http://upu.mohe.gov.my; https:jpt.utm.my; http://jpt.uum.edu.my; https://jpt.unimas.my or http://jpt.ums.edu.my; hotline [phone]; helpline 03 8870 6777; general line 03 8870 6755/6766.

They can also type “UPU RESULT space IC number” and send the SMS to 15888.