PUTRAJAYA: A total of 27 of the nation’s top Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) 2025 students received tuition fee sponsorships to pursue bachelor’s degree studies at public universities (UA).
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir (pic) said the sponsorship was provided as the government believed the recipients had the potential to go further in achieving excellence in life.
“We want to ensure access by providing learning opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background.
“Some of them may come from disadvantaged backgrounds, from outside urban areas or from remote rural communities, but they have achieved excellent results.
“You are the real asset, not only to your family but also to the nation,” he said during the tuition fee sponsorship presentation ceremony here on Monday (Sept 7).
He also said that the internationalisation of education has been successful, with an increasing number of international students coming to Malaysia to pursue their studies.
However, he stressed that this did not mean local students were being sidelined in favour of foreign students.
“There have been claims that we are bringing in outsiders while not giving opportunities to our local children. That is not true at all.
“Within the existing system, priority must be given to our own children first,” he said.
Overall, 30 students from 19 UA’s were offered tuition fee sponsorships, while 27 students from 18 UA’s accepted the sponsorship.
Zambry said that in June, the Education Ministry had initially announced tuition fee sponsorships for 18 students, but further discussions led to the identification of another 12 students.
“With the addition of these 12 students, there were 30 students who were given offers, and 27 accepted them,” he said.
