RECENT debates have raised concerns that Malaysia may be admitting “too many” international students, potentially crowding out opportunities for locals. But the facts tell a different story. Universities like Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) show that internationalisation, when managed responsibly, actually expands opportunities and enriches education for Malay-sians.
For the 2025/2026 academic year, USM offered 4,236 undergraduate places, which was more than initially planned. Over 60% of these students come from B40 (lower income) families. Inter-national students make up less than 10% of the intake.
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