KUALA LUMPUR: The Higher Education Ministry is constantly working to resolve issues encountered by students applying through UPUOnline to ensure they are given the opportunity to pursue higher education.
Its minister, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, said that help would be extended wherever needed and that the ministry understands the students’ situation.
“Every year, some apply and some are not successful. Others are accepted but later want to make changes.
“This is normal and has been the practice for a long time,” he said in a statement issued via video yesterday.
He also urged all parties to refrain from exerting excessive pressure on university admissions through the UPUOnline system, as it would only make matters worse.
“All parties are urged to strengthen their confidence in the country’s higher education system for the future of students in the country,” he said.
Zambry also advised all parties to be more careful when issuing statements regarding the issue.
“I always remind all parties to be cautious when issuing statements or when pushing for matters that could cause anxiety and make for an uneasy situation, especially regarding access to higher education, as we have heard recently about the situation of students wanting to enter university.”
Zambry added that the ministry was open to discussions and suggestions from all parties.
Earlier, University Malaya Association of New Youth had called for reforms to the UPU system, seeking the pre-university matriculation course and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) sixth form examinations to be made an integrated examination system based on the STPM syllabus, which is more widely recognised internationally.
It said the integration is for a fairer and more transparent university admissions process.
