PUTRAJAYA: Students from the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), tahfiz and other non-mainstream education streams are allowed to apply to public universities (IPTA) through two separate admission routes, said Higher Education director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman.
Speaking at a special press conference on Friday (May 15), she said the ministry’s recent announcement was not about restricting access for UEC holders, but to introduce an additional admission pathway to widen opportunities for students outside the national education system.
She said there are currently two separate admission routes for entry into IPTA.
“The first route applies to students from UEC, tahfiz or private school backgrounds who also possess a full Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) certificate.
“These students may continue applying through the existing UPU Online system, and will be assessed based on SPM merit, programme requirements and university criteria.
“They can apply for any programme subject to their decision, There is no discrimination, no bias,” she said.
Under this route, she said, admission decisions are based entirely on SPM results, with the UEC qualification not being used as the primary basis for selection.
She also said that the new special admission route is specifically for students from outside the national education system who do not possess a full SPM certificate, but have taken Bahasa Melayu and Sejarah under the national SPM examination administered by the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate (LPM).
“Under this pathway, candidates will only be considered for selected programmes identified by public universities, subject to academic suitability, interviews, and other admission requirements,” she added.
The ministry said the current UPU Online system will continue to serve as the main national admissions platform for higher education.
Meanwhile, applications for the new special admission route will be opened directly by participating public universities starting June 30.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the government is fine-tuning entry requirements for students from Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), tahfiz and other non-mainstream education streams into universities.
He said the Cabinet had agreed in principle to recognise the UEC, provided students pass Bahasa Melayu and History in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination.
“Perhaps this may initially involve only several courses, because previously this matter was not agreed upon,” he told reporters in Negri Sembilan on May 15.
Anwar said the move followed Chinese independent schools accepting the government’s conditions, adding that the same requirements would also apply to students from religious and international school streams.
On May 14, the Higher Education Ministry said the government had agreed to allow candidates outside the national education system with full SPM qualifications to apply for selected public university programmes through the UPUOnline system.
The Cabinet agreed on several entry pathways for students from tahfiz schools or institutions, private schools and Chinese independent secondary schools (SMPC) into public universities.
Candidates who sit for Bahasa Melayu and History examinations conducted by the Malaysian Examinations Syndicate and recognised by the Education Ministry may be considered for selected programmes, subject to the suitability of the field of study and current needs.
For candidates from tahfiz schools or institutions, the identified programmes include Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree in Dakwah; Diploma and Bachelor’s Degree in Al-Quran and As-Sunnah; Bachelor’s Degree in Tahfiz Education; and Bachelor’s Degree in Islamic Studies (Dakwah).
Meanwhile, for candidates from SMPC or with UEC, the identified programmes include Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language Studies with Honours; Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Language and Linguistics; Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Studies; and Bachelor’s Degree in Chinese Language with Education.
“This is based on merit calculations according to subject packages determined by the Education Ministry and subject to the general and specific programme requirements set by universities through a merit-based selection process,” said Prof Azlinda in a video statement on May 14.
