Selection into universities based on merit, not quota

THE student recruitment process for public higher learning institutions (IPTAs) is based on meritocracy.

No quota system was practised, the Higher Education Ministry said.

All eligible candidates with the highest merit scores regardless of race, religion, state, standard of living and background were given the opportunity to study at IPTAs, the ministry said in a press release on June 3.

A total of 109,617 school-leavers who completed Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) last year were offered a spot in 17 public universities, Teachers’ Training Institutes (IPG), matriculation colleges, polytechnics, community colleges, Public Skills Training Institutes (ILKA) and University Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) architecture degree for the 2020/2021 academic session.

Matriculation students have until June 29 to appeal to change their programme, course or placement.

The registration deadline for most new students is Jan 4 next year. It will also depend on their respective IPTAs.

Earlier, Higher Education director-general Prof Datuk Seri Dr Mohamed Mustafa Ishak (pic) told StarEdu that cheaper fees could be on the cards for IPTA students.

He, however, said the ministry needs to consider the institutions’ financial situation and who will compensate the losses incurred by IPTAs if fees are reduced.

“We need to take into account the IPTA’s financial sustainability as they are also facing the same challenges (as private higher education institutions),” he said, adding that discussions are already underway with the vice-chancellors of the IPTAs and they will present their findings to the Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad.

“We will make an announcement on the matter soon after looking at all aspects,” he said, adding that the ministry could work together with the public institutions as they fall directly under it’s jurisdiction.

He said they would also take into account students’ views on the matter.

Bernama reported on June 1 that there were calls by parents and students to have the fees lowered.

This is because students are not fully utilising the facilities on campus when most of them returned to their hometowns when campuses shut down due to the movement control order.

On private institutions, Prof Mohamed Mustafa said it was up to them if they want to restructure their fees.

“It is entirely up to the private sector because they have their own cost analysis to consider, ” he added.

However, he said, these institutes should consider the expectations of students and parents who want the fees lowered.

On another matter, he said the ministry is in discussion with the Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), telecommunications companies to provide devices and Internet access to tertiary students.

This is in line with the ministry’s announcement that all teaching and learning activities will be conducted online until Dec 31.

“We need to assist the students by providing data plans for them.

“If they have to pay for fees and at the same time pay for their own data plans to study online, it will cost them more.

“This is something we want to avoid,” he said.