Matriculation proven useful and still relevant: UMS V-C

KOTA KINABALU: The matriculation programme is still relevant and has proven to have increased the number of Bumiputera students pursuing undergraduate studies at local public universities, especially in science, technology and medicine, says Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr D Kamarudin D Mudin (pic).

He said it was designed with the basic objective as an alternative for Bumiputera students to enter public universities, besides admissions through STPM (Sekolah Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia), diploma or other equivalent qualifications.

“In Sabah, the matriculation programme is important and still relevant as an alternative path for Bumiputera students from various ethnic groups (including Sino) to pursue undergraduate studies at local public universities, including UMS.

“UMS receives a number of matriculation students from all over the country every year.

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“UMS students are from various districts, including rural areas. For the 2018/2019 academic session, about 21pc of its first year students are from the matriculation programme compared to 58pc from STPM,” he said in a statement.

Kamarudin was commenting on the decision of the Cabinet to maintain the 90:10 matriculation quotas for Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera students, respectively.

He said matriculation students have the same opportunity to demonstrate their ability as undergraduates. “There is no advantage given to matriculation students.”

In line with its basic objectives, successes and contribution over the years, he said the matriculation programme should continue status quo.

“Any suspicion about the programme should be discarded. We need to focus on providing holistic experience and knowledge to all students who have earned a place in the university towards producing graduates ready for the Industrial Revolution 4.0,” he added.

The Cabinet’s decision to maintain the 90:10 quota for the matriculation programme has aroused suspicion from some who appeared to question the relevance of the programme as well as the perception that the drop in the quality of university graduates was the result of matriculation students entering public universities.

Meanwhile, Education Director-General Datuk Dr Amin Senin said debates and disputes over the issue of admission into the matriculation programme may result in the teaching staff losing focus and not carrying out their duties effectively.

He said the Cabinet’s decision in relation to the 90:10 matriculation quota system had led to disagreements among various parties that some had acted rudely which was considered inappropriate in the educational environment.

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“As this is in line with the Cabinet’s decision to maintain the 90:10 student intake, Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik has the right to defend the decision,” he said in a statement Wednesday.

As such, Dr Amin said it was the responsibility of educators in the Ministry of Education to defend and fully implement policies that have been decided by the Government, in the interest of the people.

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