KUALA LUMPUR – The Cabinet’s decision to allow Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) holders into public universities is being sold as a step towards inclusivity.

In reality, it is a shortcut that bypasses the standards and coherence of Malaysia’s national education system.

By admitting students on the basis of a pass in only two SPM subjects, the government risks normalising parallel qualifications that do not align with the curriculum meant to unify all Malaysians.

Undermining The National Syllabus

For decades, national education policy has placed Bahasa Melayu and a common Malaysian History syllabus at the core of nation-building.

The UEC, administered by Dong Zong, operates outside this framework, using Mandarin as the medium of instruction and a History syllabus focused on Chinese and East Asian history.

Admitting UEC holders without requiring full alignment with the national curriculum sets a precedent where alternative streams can bypass core national subjects yet still gain access to public universities.

This weakens the principle of a unified system and erodes the role of education in fostering a shared identity.

UEC – Unequal Academic Burden

Students in the national stream undertake STPM or Matriculation, both centrally governed and subject to standardised assessment.

UEC examinations are set and marked independently by Dong Zong.

Allowing UEC holders entry with only a pass in SPM Bahasa Melayu and History creates a two-tier structure.

STPM candidates face a heavier academic load with no assurance of better admission prospects, while matriculation students already benefit from a streamlined route.

Adding UEC as a third pathway with lighter requirements complicates admission and risks eroding perceptions of merit.

Concerns Over Equity and Cohesion

The policy also extends to graduates of Arabic schools, religious schools, tahfiz institutions and Malaysian students in international schools.

Framed as equal treatment, it lowers the entry threshold across multiple streams that do not follow the national syllabus.

For students who have studied within the national system, this may appear as a dilution of the standards expected of them.

As Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said, the education system “must be built in line with national aspirations” and “grounded in the national language” to strengthen identity.

“Until the UEC meets these criteria, it cannot be considered equivalent to national qualifications,” he said.

A Precedent For Fragmentation

The previous Barisan National government has long maintained that the UEC cannot be recognised for public university entry because it does not follow the national curriculum.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir has also said the SPM Bahasa Melayu and History requirement is “not yet a final decision” and requires further study across the education ecosystem.

Recognising qualifications that diverge significantly from the national curriculum without full alignment signals that core subjects are optional supplements rather than essential requirements.

Once such a precedent is set, maintaining a single standard becomes increasingly difficult.

If inclusivity is the objective, the fairest approach is to require full alignment with the national curriculum for any qualification seeking recognition for public university entry.

Anything less compromises academic standards and risks creating a system where the pathway matters more than the preparation.

In education, consistency is not exclusion; it is the foundation of fairness. – NMH

The writer is the Vice-president of Parti Cinta Malaysia and a commentator on governance and public policy. The views expressed are his own.

The post UEC Recognition: A Shortcut That Undermines National Standards first appeared on NMH.

Kuala Lumpur, 09 May 2025 – In a significant move to enhance Malaysia’s digital upskilling agenda, GKK Consultants Sdn Bhd (GKK Malaysia) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with the IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation (IITMPTF). This collaboration marks the first time a Malaysian company has joined forces with an Indian tech innovation hub, aiming to address the country’s growing demand for advanced digital skills.

Bridging the Digital Skills Gap

The partnership is set to support Malaysia’s National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) and other digital initiatives by offering certified technology education programs. These programs will focus on emerging technological areas such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductor design, green energy, and Industry 5.0 applications.

Dr. Gajendra Balasingham, Managing Director of GKK Malaysia, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “The digital economy contributed 23.5 percent to Malaysia’s GDP in 2023, amounting to RM427.7 billion. However, companies are still struggling to find suitable employees for roles in cloud computing, AI, and data analytics. This partnership will empower underserved communities and develop a future-ready workforce for Malaysia’s tech sector.”

Comprehensive Training Programs

The first program under this partnership will involve 550 final-year students at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). In collaboration with IITMPTF and GKK Malaysia’s ecosystem partners, both lecturers and students will receive comprehensive training in Data Analytics, Java Full Stack Programming, Cyber Security, and AWS Cloud Practitioner. This initiative aims to equip Malaysian talent with globally recognized, industry-relevant skills.

Mr. Balamurali Shankar, Chief Knowledge Officer of IITMPTF, remarked, “This partnership will bridge the skill gap by preparing more tech professionals in cutting-edge technologies, especially in Cybersecurity, AI, and Machine Learning. Students will gain invaluable hands-on experience and real-world insights, enhancing their employability both in Malaysia and internationally.”

Strategic Alignment with National Goals

The partnership aligns with Malaysia Digital’s focus on AI governance and NAIO’s strategic priorities, ensuring the workforce remains competitive in the Industry 5.0 era. His Excellency Mr. B.N. Reddy, India’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, expressed his congratulations: “The Indian High Commission is delighted to learn that GKK Malaysia has established a framework to promote advanced courses in Malaysia through IITMPTF. IITMPTF is a renowned innovation hub in India, and its advanced courses will enhance the competitive advantage of many Malaysian companies.”

Addressing Digital Industry Challenges

A recent survey conducted by Randstad Malaysia and published in its ‘2025 Job Market Outlook & Salary Guide’ indicates that 59 percent of Malaysian companies want to increase their headcount by an average of 10 to 15 percent this year. However, many are facing challenges in sourcing skilled professionals, particularly in AI, cybersecurity, and software development.

Dr. Gajendra concluded, “The demand for such professionals has surged, but the nation’s workforce is still lacking the necessary expertise to meet immediate industry standards. This partnership will play a crucial role in addressing these challenges and ensuring Malaysia’s workforce is equipped with the skills needed for the future.”

This partnership between GKK Malaysia and IITMPTF represents a significant step forward in Malaysia’s digital upskilling agenda, promising to equip the workforce with the skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. – NMH

The post GKK Malaysia, IIT Madras Pravartak Partner to Advance Digital Skills first appeared on NMH.

IPOH – Two sisters have etched their names in Malaysia’s academic history as among the youngest medical graduates in the country. Medical prodigy sisters, Dr. Tan Qi Ning, 20, and Dr. Tan Qi Yu, 18, both from Kuala Lumpur, celebrated the remarkable achievements at Quest International University’s (QIU) 8th Convocation ceremony yesterday, marking the culmination of their extraordinary academic journey.

The sisters, who transitioned from traditional schooling to homeschooling at the ages of 10 and 12, enrolled in QIU’s foundation programme in 2018, after completing their International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Their exceptional academic prowess and dedication led them to graduate with their MBBS degrees at just 20 and 18 years old.

Early Beginnings and Academic Achievements

Qi Ning and Qi Yu’s academic paths have been nothing short of extraordinary. In addition to their medical studies, Qi Ning was part of the team that won the UniKL Intervarsity Surgical-Based Quiz in 2023, while Qi Yu’s team secured second place in the Malaysian Physiology Quiz. The sisters are also skilled musicians, with Qi Ning playing the violin and Qi Yu the piano, showcasing their versatility beyond academics.

Reflecting on their time at QIU, Dr. Qi Ning praised the support and mentorship they received throughout their studies. “The QIU faculty is incredibly supportive and caring. They are always available to help, even outside office hours. The mentor-mentee sessions were especially valuable in navigating both academic and personal challenges,” she shared.

Meanwhile, Dr. Qi Yu, who also received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award during the convocation, expressed her appreciation for QIU’s well-structured MBBS programme. “The curriculum sparked my interest, and the hands-on experience in multiple hospitals across the state was invaluable. I resonate deeply with the university’s motto of ‘leaving no one behind’,” she said.

Future Aspirations of the Medical Prodigy Sisters

Looking ahead, Dr. Qi Ning hopes to use her medical knowledge and skills to serve society. “I aim to be a compassionate and knowledgeable doctor who can provide comfort and care to my patients and improve their quality of life,” she said.

Dr. Qi Yu, eager to explore various specialties within the medical field, said, “I’m excited to explore different fields within medicine to find one that aligns with my passion. My goal is to deliver the best possible care to my patients.”

Celebrating Diversity in Education

The convocation ceremony also honored another remarkable individual, 72-year-old Capt. (Rtd) Dr. Chan Weng Kwai, who received his Doctor of Business Administration degree from QIU. Capt. Dr. Chan, a former platoon commander of the Territorial Army Regiment and retired school principal, emphasized that age is no barrier to education. “My experiences in the army built my character and resilience. They taught me that if you believe in yourself, you can always learn more,” he said, reflecting on his diverse academic journey from chemistry to business management.

This year’s ceremony saw over 600 graduates from QIU’s six faculties, including Medicine, Pharmacy, Business and Management, Social Sciences, Computing and Engineering, and Integrated Life Sciences. Degrees were conferred by University Council Chairman and Pro-Chancellor Dato’ Sri Dr. Vijay Eswaran, QIU Chancellor Tun Arifin Zakaria, and QIU Vice-Chancellor Professor Zita Mohd Fahmi.

About Quest International University (QIU)

Founded in 2008, Quest International University (QIU) is a private university that offers a wide range of programs at foundation, diploma, degree, and postgraduate levels. With a strong focus on blending theory and practice, QIU prepares students for successful careers by providing industry-relevant education. The university places great emphasis on nurturing well-rounded citizens who are not only academically accomplished but also dedicated to making a positive impact on the community and the environment. – NMH

Also read…

RYTHM Foundation Spurs On With Education Growth For Marginalised Groups

The post Medical Prodigy Sisters Graduate from Quest University at Ages 18 and 20 first appeared on NMH.

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s arts sector gained a substantial boost Friday night as RYTHM Foundation, the charitable arm of QI Group, launched a RM150,000 Fine and Performing Arts Initiative aimed at fostering young Malaysian talents.

The Vijayaratnam Fine and Performing Arts Initiative was introduced at the Kala Vriksha: The Tree of Time event hosted at the Temple of Fine Arts, celebrating Malaysia’s artistic heritage with a focus on supporting the next generation of artists.

The program includes scholarships and grants dedicated to students in fields like visual arts, dance, music, theatre, and literature, aiming to bridge financial gaps that hinder creative ambitions. Partnerships with institutions such as Aswara and other prominent organizations in Malaysia’s fine and performing arts scene will further strengthen the initiative’s reach.

Renowned cultural figure Datuk Seri Ramli Ibrahim attended the launch, lending support to a program he described as “critical to sustaining our cultural legacy and the progression of Malaysia’s creative identity.”

Datin Seri Umayal Eswaran, Chairperson of RYTHM Foundation, spoke on the transformative potential of the initiative: “This program opens new doors for talented young Malaysians to pursue their passion and contribute to our nation’s cultural landscape without financial constraints,” she said. She emphasised art’s role as a bridge across Malaysia’s diverse communities, fostering unity and cultural pride.

RYTHM Foundation – Commitment To Inclusive Arts Sector

The evening featured traditional performances and gathered representatives from Malaysia’s leading cultural institutions. Datuk Seri Vijay Eswaran, Founder of QI Group, joined the event, underscoring the commitment of all attendees to a more vibrant and inclusive arts sector.

Dr. M. Paranjothy, President of the Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative’s collaborative nature, remarking, “With this partnership, we’re empowering young artists and keeping our artistic traditions alive.”

Kala Vriksha will drive an annual series of events, masterclasses, and outreach programs to ensure a sustained engagement with the arts. RYTHM Foundation aims for a long-term impact, envisioning new opportunities and partnerships that support both artistic preservation and evolution in Malaysia.

Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, RYTHM Foundation’s latest commitment ensures Malaysia’s next generation of artists can thrive. The collaboration with Aswara and other front-running institutions marks a critical step forward for the local arts landscape, enriching the national stage with fresh talent and renewed cultural pride. – NMH

The post RYTHM Foundation – RM150,000 Arts Initiative to Empower Young Talents first appeared on NMH.

Commentary And Analysis . . . The Sarawak government wants the Year 6 UPSR and Year 9 PT3 examinations revived on the grounds that standards had fallen in schools and that SPM results have seen better days. UPSR and PT3 were replaced, not so long ago, by school-based assessments. The proof of true education arises from writing from memory, based on all the readings, for connecting the dots. True education begins with habitual reading early in life. There’s more on this later.

There’s science that IQ Tests, confined by comprehension and counting skills, were not about measuring intelligence. It’s settled theory that intelligence was the ability for learning from mistakes. Let’s not go too much there as the Debate may enter incorrigibility, delusion, demon, and forms of mental illness and insanity.

SPM, in fact, can be replaced by university entrance examination — it’s in fact IQ Test — after the school leaving certificate. The SPM may be somewhat outdated. It does not prepare school leavers for the content in undergraduate programmes.

Entry into the Open University Malaysia, for example, was based on university entrance examination. The Form 5 school leaving certificate was the pre-requisite.

The four-in-one entry exam, a 45 minutes computerised test, covers English comprehension, Bahasa Malaysia comprehension and simple mathematics/statistics.

The Pass or Fail results are displayed on the computer screen immediately after the submit button was pressed.

Bahasa Malaysia and the English language can be explained.

The 20K word Bahasa Melayu (Johor Rhio Lingga version) was rendered redundant as Bahasa Kebangsaan (national language) by 1969 when the 40K Bahasa Malaysia emerged.

English remains Asean’s only official language.

True Education

Again, SPM must be scrapped and English speaking skills enhanced. If students can speak English, the rest will fall in place, and that means not only the language.

English language tuition classes, run free for between four months and six months, will help colleges recruit students.

If many people remain cursed by broken English, it’s because they are bogged down and/or plagued by the sounds of the English.

English, which has no form of writing, has 42 sounds but makes do with the 26 sounds in the Roman letters.

English isn’t written as spoken. Many students in Malaysia can’t read. They have difficulties in putting together letters for forming sounds. There’s more on this later.

Forget broken English. It cannot be corrected.

Start fresh.

Work on training the ears on listening skills.

We had formula during British days.

Catch the news on radio (no TV) for ten minutes daily. Make it lifelong habit.

After two years, look at the rules of grammar and do the exercises.

Grammar rules are like traffic rules. They help prevent accidents.

The sounds of the English language trump the rules of grammar.

There are many exceptions in the English language. English, coming from French and German sources which are not on the same page, remains language which often breaks its own rules.

Proof Of True Education

Those against UPSR and PT3 argue that these examinations, abolished in 2022, had degenerated into memorisation and rote learning in the race for 7As. There can be reforms i.e. doing away with memorisation and rote learning, among others, for proof of true education.

Standards, under memorisation and rote learning, remain low even among those who get 7As. The great majority don’t get 7As. The marking system remains state secret but has been exposed by school-based Trial exams.

Malaysia, based on recent media reports, will unveil new education blueprint in 2026.

We have blueprint, curriculum, syllabus, text, topics modules and exams coming out of the ears.

Education should be approached holistically. There have been suggestions that the depoliticisation of education may be idea whose time has come. This would mean scrapping the Education Ministry in favour of Education Commission at the Federal level, followed by the present system of Education Department at the state level and Education Office in the districts.

The main issue that arises in educational reforms: helping students do well viz. before university and during tertiary studies. If students do well, colleges won’t fail, deny salaries, and close down. Word will get around when students do well. The proof of the pudding lies in the eating.

Briefly, the lifelong Teaching Permit from MQA (Malaysian Qualifications Agency) isn’t so much about this subject, or that subject, but about being subject matter expert on public examination techniques. Generally, MQA looks at the CV (curriculum vitae) before issuing the lifelong Teaching Permit.

Subject matter expert on public examination techniques can advise lecturers/tutors on preparing lecture/tutorial notes which will be reflected in multiple testing areas viz. assignment, related presentation, Quiz, project, related presentation, and final examination.

Students will get A in all testing areas provided the same subject matter experts who prepare lecture and tutorial notes based on skills for the workplace, prepare and mark all testing areas based on MQA criteria and distribute the marks. MQA and the Internal Examination Board would go along.

The students can learn the art of writing within three months. The editing down approach can be used for keeping “similarity of content” below 30 per cent. The students should include feedback by plagiarism checker and grammar checker in assignments.

MQA and MoE (Ministry of Education) will expect compliance on Bloom’s Taxonomy, Table of Specifications (ToS), marking criteria, and distribution of marks. Students would not do well if the above are not tweaked. The Internal Examination Board must support reforms in the form of tweaking.

Bloom’s Taxonomy, Table of Specifications (ToS), marking criteria, and distribution of marks may, in fact, be biased if they fall back on objective tests, memorisation and rote learning. There’s case for subjective questions based on the essay-style format. Objective tests, convenient and economical for those who mark answer scripts, don’t benefit the students left behind by the memorisation and rote learning approaches.

Reading Difficulties

The government, before looking at public examinations, should focus on the reality that many students in Malaysia can’t read and write or count.

Writing and counting can be taught.

Teaching reading remains the hardest thing in the world.

There’s formula, based on great patience, on teaching reading. Even dyslexia and autism children can be taught reading within reasonable duration.

In taking the cue from the link, the following steps can be followed:

• sing ABC song for two weeks
• two weeks ABC song while looking at alphabets on the wall.
• two weeks reciting the alphabets at random.
• phonics for three weeks.
• graded reader 1 until graded reader 7.
• learn numbers 1 to 9 and 0
• addition — single, double, triple, four digits.
• subtraction — single, double, triple, four digits.

Kindergarten kids should learn multiplication tables, 2 until 12, in two weeks.

Generally, speak English by age five, learn counting by age five, buy at a loss and sell at a profit by age 15 i.e. before school leaving age, read out aloud for 10 minutes daily, catch the news on radio for 10 mins daily, and remain Iifelong habitual reader.

Habitual Reading

True education begins with habitual reading early in life.

The proof of true education arises from writing from memory, based on all the readings, for connecting the dots.

There’s originality of thought and original thinking.

There’s also orginality of thought and original thinking if the editing down approach was used for connecting the dots in keeping “similarity of content” below 30 per cent.

The plagiarism checker can be used.

The grammar checker may not be more than 60 per cent accurate. — NMH

Related Internal Links . . .

Related External Links . . .

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/09/29/with-cheaper-fess-and-more-slots-malaysias-international-schools-soaring-in-popularity-with-both-foreigners-and-locals/151996

https://thesun.my/style-life/going-viral/m-sian-mum-defends-herself-after-teacher-accuses-her-of-doing-child-s-homework-PH13053369

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/09/20/parents-teachers-oppose-revival-of-upsr-pt3-like-exams/?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=share-button

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/09/29/way-to-go-iz-as-news-breaks-of-12-year-old-prodigys-um-enrolment-rosmah-says-proof-her-permata-pintar-programme-cultivated-talent/151983

The post True Education Begins With Habitual Reading Early In Life first appeared on NMH.

KUALA LUMPUR – The RYTHM Foundation, the social impact initiative of the Qi Group, remains committed and active in undertaking programs to empower those in need, particularly in the field of education, as this aspect is considered crucial for the development of any community.

Head of RYTHM Foundation Santhi Periasamy said the foundation focuses on providing assistance to those in need of educational support, especially children who have difficulty accessing education such as those from the B40 group, living in remote areas and indigenous children.

“In terms of community development, we believe that education is key for without it, no community survives. Education is the only pathway and perhaps, the only answer to development.

“It is very sad to know how many communities out there in the world, in Malaysia (as well), who are deprived of equity and equality in education. There are so many things that can be done through education in many different modes and approaches which the Foundation is doing.

“For instance, we have a school in Petaling Jaya, a RYTHM Foundation initiative for the special needs, and we are doing a lot for the education of indigenous or Orang Asli children in Malaysia,” she told NMH when met at a tea with media session here recently.

Educational Programs By RYTHM Foundation

In terms of assisting with education for Orang Asli children, Santhy said more than 100 students from the ethnic group, covering areas in Sabah and Pahang, have benefited from educational programs they implemented.

“The educational programs for indigenous children in Sabah and Pahang began in 2021 and 2022, respectively. It is expected that by the end of September this year, we will be launching similar educational programs in Kedah,” she added.

Besides focusing on education, she said the RYTHM Foundation also emphasises the empowerment of youths, particularly teenage girls from underprivileged families by enhancing their skills in various fields to help improve their lives.

Academic Support

She said among the initiatives is the Maharani School Program (MSP) which aims to provide academic support and personal development for teenage girls to help build their self-confidence, leadership skills, and realise their potential.

The MSP, introduced in 2010, has impacted over 8,000 students. This holistic program is designed for teenagers aged 13 to 17, with a priority given to students from B40 families.

The programme is slowly evolving from what it was about 15 years ago. The Foundation goes to schools and run this programme to empower these girls through their leadership skills programme.

“Today, we also have a lab in Damansara Damai where we focus on IT skills, soft skills, leadership skills, among others, exposing them to career opportunities,” she said.

This is in line with their current plans where they focus on digital education, and they are continuing to evolve and renew their programmes in order to provide the best to these focus groups.

Another area that they are promoting currently is sports as they want to empower youths and develop the right spirit in them.

Jaguh RF

“We have started this programme called “Jaguh RF” for sports development as well as the Indigenous Development Programme (IDP) where a lot of focus and attention is being given there.

“We started this IDP programme in 2021 in Sabah and last year we had a very big convention to address the issues and challenges of the indigenous people of Malaysia. This has garnered a lot of attention and many people have come forward to say that they want to work with us.” – NMH

Also read:

QNET Shines Again With Unstoppable V-Malaysia 2024

The post RYTHM Foundation Spurs On With Education Growth For Marginalised Groups first appeared on NMH.

Commentary and Analysis . . . Students in Malaysia, generally doing badly on their studies, appear losing interest in education and prefer the gig economy after SPM, if media surveys are accurate on the lack of educational reforms. So, colleges could do better on helping students and thereby remaining solvent. The alarm bells start ringing when colleges fall back on paying staff salaries. Lecturers and tutors, if unpaid, will leave in droves.

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/07/15/17-ex-lecturers-awarded-rm1-4mil-for-unfair-dismissal

Follow the Debate in the following link . . .

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/712024

PTPTN (Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional), the National Higher Education Fund Corporation, alone won’t save colleges. The students and families are not that naive. It’s pointless incurring PTPTN debts and ending up unemployable. The workplace needs skills.

https://www.ptptn.gov.my/en

The MQA (Malaysian Qualification Agency) will not oppose reforms in education. This writer has dealt with MQA based on lifelong Teaching Permit as subject matter expert on public examination techniques. That means students get A in all subjects. The truth remains stranger than fiction.

https://www.mqa.gov.my

In April, for example, this writer’s media students scored A in all six areas tested viz. assignment/related presentation, Quiz, project, related presentation, final exam, and marking all testing areas for scrutiny and moderation by the Examination Board and MQA.

Educational Reforms

Colleges need lecturers/tutors, subject matter experts in public examination techniques, playing key role in educational reforms. There’s no place for memorisation and rote learning. Objective tests should be minimised. The focus should be on subjective questions which call for thinking skills as matured persons. There are no right or wrong answers. The students’ answers, in varying degrees, merit marks.

Lecturers/Tutors should interpret the curriculum/syllabus/text/topics for the lectures/tutorials. All testing areas can be worked out by lecturers/tutors, based on lectures/tutorials, and marked by them for the Examination Board/MQA. These two bodies will cooperate.

Students will do well. Colleges will have credibility.

The focus should be on skills which can be taken away from lectures/tutorials for the workplace.

SPM Scrapped

https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/07/16/60-6-of-spm-students-passed-all-subjects-in-2023-says-fadhlina

Let’s scrap the SPM. Students can sit for 45 minute computerised university entrance examination based on school leaving certificate. There can be only two grades i.e. Pass or Fail. The computer will announce the result immediately.

The entrance examination paper, three subjects in one, can consist of English comprehension, Bahasa Comprehension and Mathematics with Statistics. The Open University of Malaysia (OUM), for example, conducts entrance examination for mature students and others.

10A Students

The government said that Other students with at least 10A in SPM would get seats in matriculation. Ironically, not that many students sit for 10 subjects in SPM.

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/07/11/rejected-10as-spm-students-to-get-matriculation-offers-by-end-of-august-says-education-minister/143400

What do local Ummah, Orang Asal and Orang Asli students get in SPM!

Can they get at least one A under the standard marking system! This writer stands corrected on Orang Asal students.

The SPM marking system shouldn’t be state secret. The Trial Examination results give the game away on the state secret.

Matriculation students, in impossible feat, are guaranteed seats in the 20 public universities. It’s backdoor system which circumvents the collapse and implosion, by 2002, of the quota system imposed by public universities.

The government should focus on the meaning of education.

University remains for the brilliant.

Job seekers should join training institutes for skills needed by the workplace. Then, there’s TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training). Night school should be for adults and those who can’t read and write.

True education lies in remembering all the readings for writing from memory in connecting the dots. There’s originality of thought and original thinking.

Opinion

This writer doesn’t write peer-reviewed academic pieces or compile known facts and pass them off as Opinion.

Writing, based on memory from all the readings, connects the dots. There’s originality of thought and original thinking.

The sourcing, where applicable, may fall back on history and law stored in the memory. That’s based on all the readings.

The plagiarism checker will detect no plagiarism and no similarity of content — term used by universities — if any, above 30 per cent. It becomes ethical issue, bordering on theft, if the work of others were passed off as one’s own. Plagiarism exists even if material was rewritten, attributed and referenced as there’s no originality of thought and no original thinking. Editing down material, drastically, may be form of connecting the dots. There’s originality of thought and original thinking.

There’s no law on plagiarism.

In fact, all laws are works of plagiarism.

The grammar checker, never more accurate than 60 per cent, may find that this writer does not follow the rules of grammar per se. English remains language which often breaks its own rules. There are many exceptions.

The approach on grammar remains based mostly on the sounds of the language while not ignoring the more familiar rules.

No Politics

The education system needs lecturers/tutors in the form of subject matter experts in public examination techniques. Again, that means students get A including in English. Language, for example, remains best learnt on one’s own after Year 3. Language teacher isn’t necessary.

Politics, based on divisiveness, can be taken out of education if the education ministry was abolished.

There should be independent Education Commission at the national level.

The examination syndicate and Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) exists.

The Education Bureau would be at the state level.

No one should be awarded PhD unless they can explain the thesis statement in English, in face to face encounter, before 15 member Panel made up of local and foreign academicians in equal measure.

Intelligence

IQ, on related matter which does not digress too much, may not measure intelligence per se but can only be about the ability for doing IQ Tests.

Intelligence, based on all readings and stored in memory, remains the ability for learning from mistakes. If there’s learning, the intelligence level increases.

We don’t know whether the ability for learning from mistakes can be increased through nutrition. However, oxygen level, balanced meals, keeping hydrated, managing stress and night sleep matter for general feeling of comfort and wellness.

New mistakes can be made as part of the learning process.

Old mistakes must never be repeated.

If old mistakes are repeated, there has been no learning, and no increase in intelligence.

If old mistakes are repeated, viz. no learning and no increase in intelligence, it may be sign of forms of incorrigibility and/or sign of forms of delusions arising including perhaps from belief systems and/or sign of forms of mental illness and/or sign of forms of insanity.

Insanity, under the law on mental health, remains legal term based on subject matter expert opinion.

All these phenomenon on the mind may be driven by “demons” created by imbalances in brain chemistry. They arise from stress and trauma which disorients, confuses the immune system and creates chaos. It’s said that ancient India discovered that chaos was the only predictable property of the universe. It was confirmed by Cambridge University theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking.

Buddha for example saw Nirvana — eternal bliss — which has been translated as heaven and/or paradise. Theoretical physicist Albert Einstein said that Buddha found what he was looking for, viz. the end of suffering, and came the nearest for science. Einstein said the secret of genius lay in daydreaming.

Buddha said, “you are what you think”, “you attract what you feel”, “you create what you imagine”.

Related Links . . .

https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/712162

FOOTNOTE . . .

As subject matter expert on public examination techniques, the writer can help interpret the curriculum/syllabus, text/topics, for preparation of lectures/tutorials for securing A, preparation of material for all testing areas viz. assignment/related presentation, Quiz, project, related presentation, final exam, and marking all testing areas. — NMH

The post Educational Reforms See ‘Outdated’ SPM Scrapped first appeared on NMH.

Rafizi Ramli, the Minister for Economy said academic qualifications such as a diploma or bachelor’s degree are not the main reason employers look for when hiring workers.

He said this was based on his personal experience interviewing thousands of graduates.

He said employers face difficulties in matching qualifications with job criteria offered in the market due to the lack of talent and skills required based on academic certificates alone.

Rafizi shared this insight at the International Public Employment Forum (IPEF) 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, organized by the Social Security Organisation (Socso).

The case is different now. A degree only proves that you have a brain. When someone is hired, the employers see the qualities that they can be independent, have their own initiative, and that they are balanced, Rafizi explained.

The Centre for Social Welfare Studies director Professor Datuk Dr Norma Mansor, who was one of the panelists, emphasised the need to tackle talent mismatch in today’s job market.

She attributed the problem to Malaysia’s lack of innovation in its economic structure and the scarcity of high-value job opportunities.

Academics Irked By Rafizi

Many academics rushed to take offense at the minister’s comment at the public forum. Dr. Syafeeq Shukor, posted on LinkedIn that Rafizi’s comment contributed to the declining number of university takeups.

He added that there must be encouragement for young people to take up university education or end up producing minions and not inventors. He claimed that only the education system can produce the future leaders that Malaysia needs.

Mismatch of Ideology

Dr. Syafeeq’s thinking is not uncommon among the self-serving academic elite in Malaysia. Many have cushy university jobs that have moved up based on qualification alone with little or no industry experience.

They ignore the fact that many global entrepreneursr like Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, and Steve Wozniak did not have a graduate degree to build their global empire.

Education is different from entrepreneurship. One does not need to go to university to be inventive and innovative. Albert Einstein learned mathematics by himself and he went on to product the most famous equation the world has ever known.

Academic elites, often Malay Bumiputra work at government-funded universities. The same universities produce graduates that do not have basic grast of the English language. English, is the language that most employers in Malaysia require workers to have. The economic minister knows this, especially since he has his own startup, Invoke.

Change in Dynamics

The reality is that there has been a change in the status quo in regard to education. Universities have turned education into a money-spinning machine that many can’t afford. Education is so lucrative that many countries including Malaysia have licensed private colleges who then partner with overseas educational institutions. 

But decades who, employers cared about where you graduated from, grade, and the type of degree. The Ministry of Education in Malaysia still carries a list of universities that it officially recognizes for employment for government service. 

These days, with the Internet in place any aspiring youth can attend Stanford University online. Learn how to make things on YouTube or TikTok, especially software development

Many employers have started to realize this and believe one does not need a university degree to be an effective worker. Some of the largest organizations in the world these days have dropped the degree requirement from their hiring criteria. Rather than hire fresh graduates who are already outdated in their skills coming out of universities, they built organization-wide on-the-job training programs to upskill talents in their organization.

Universities Need to Keep Up

Universities these days are commercializing themselves to oblivion. The young can’t afford it, or end up with massive amounts of debt they go into the workforce. The rarity of the ivory tower is no longer rare and its lecturers are not the brooding omnipresence of wisdom that once graced the halls of education. 

At the budget Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia will set up an Artificial Intelligence Learning Centre at University Technology Malaysia (UTM) with a budget of RM20 million. 

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was because innovation and digital talent needed to be empowered, especially in the field of AI to drive the country’s economic growth in a more sustainable manner.

“Malaysia needs to move quickly along with the accelerated growth of these fields in line with the global digital transformation boom,” he said when presenting Budget 2024 in the Dewan Rakyat.

The problem with that is Malaysia is as usual late to the game as countries such as USA, China, India and Australia have made leaps and bounds in the field and are more than ten years ahead.

Academics and those who pursue acamedia need to see how relevant they are to the country as having a degree is not necessarily a sign of an innovative mind. – NMH

Also Read:-

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Malaysia One Country, Three Immigration Systems, 60 Years Later

The post Rafizi’s Degree Statement Irks Academics first appeared on NMH.

KUALA LUMPUR — Two million youths aged 18 to 20, and full-time students aged 21 and above, will receive the benefits of the E-Pemula, an e-wallet credit programme, as its one-off credit will be increased to RM200 next year.

When tabling the Supply Bill 2023 in the Dewan Rakyat today, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz stated that the programme will continue, involving RM400 million in allocation, an increase from the original amount of RM150, as part of improvement efforts.

Reactions to the announcement have been mixed, as some on Twitter have praised the increased but prefer a wage increase or basic income over an e-Pemula increase.

Furthermore, he stated that the Social Security Organisation (Socso) employment initiative will be provided to employers who hired youths aged 18 to 30, who had been looking for work for more than three months.

This initiative is also extended to employers who hire graduates of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

“To encourage more young people to do business, a total of RM305 million will be provided as special loan facilities for youths through SME Bank, Tekun (National Entrepreneur Group Economic Fund), Mara (Majlis Amanah Rakyat), BSN (Bank Simpanan Nasional) and Agrobank,” he said.

Furthermore, the Finance Minister stated that RM50 million will be provided through BSN for the Skim Penjaja Muda Keluarga Malaysia, which provides loans of up to RM50,000 to ten thousand young people to generate their own income, such as operating a food truck business.

Tengku Zafrul stated that the government agreed to bear the licence fee under the MyPSV programme, as well as the B2 class motorcycle driving licence fee, to assist B40 youth who generate income through services such as taxis, buses, and e-hailing.

“To encourage youths to work, the Tekun Youth Mobilepreneur Scheme continues, with an RM10 million fund to finance the capital of young individuals involved in delivery services using motorcycles,” he said.

Meanwhile, he also announced that the Malaysian Family Youth Package, which helps youths get a pre-paid internet data plan subscription package for RM30 for a period of three months, has been extended until April 2023. — Bernama

More to come …

The post Budget 2023: E-Pemula Credit Increased, Gov’t To Pay E-Hailing Licence Fee first appeared on NMH.

They cobbled up 2 million rupees (RM112745.12) to meet the expenses for English language instruction given by Western Overseas, one of the hundreds of visa consultancies in Ambala, approximately 250 kilometers from New Delhi, that promise better lives via education abroad.

“My dream is to settle abroad as I see no future in India,” said Sachin, who uses only a single name. He now plans to fly to Canada where he hopes to complete a two-year diploma in business management and eventually secure a longer work visa.

While middle-class Indians have long sought better opportunities abroad, worsening economic conditions are now forcing families from poorer rural areas, such as Sachin’s, to make large expenditures to establish new lives for their children abroad.

Sachin claims that his two Canadian buddies earn roughly C$1,200 (RM4134.21) per month working part-time while studying for diplomas.

With many countries lifting COVID restrictions, the number of Indian students travelling to places like the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand was nearly one million in early 2022, according to government and industry estimates, roughly doubling from pre-pandemic levels.

Consultancies like Western Overseas provide coaching for English language proficiency tests, services for course selection, visa application processing, travel and even placements for part-time work.

In Sydney, Catriona Jackson, chief executive of Universities Australia, said more than 76,000 Indian students were now pursuing education in Australia, which is expected to accelerate after both countries signed a bilateral trade pact this year.

Many are applying for short courses in Canada and Australia driven by increasingly bleak job prospects at home and as Western governments loosen immigration requirements to fill university and job vacancies.

The overseas education market is estimated to more than double to RM360.28 billion by 2024 from about RM135.10 billion, according to a 2021 report from Red Seer, a consultancy, as global incomes and middle-class aspirations rise.

The increasing cost of private education and falling job opportunities in the public sector and manufacturing in India have forced thousands of families to mortgage properties or take bank loans for overseas education, visa consultants said.

Not even a 7% decline in the Indian rupee this year has deterred families from forking out the fees.

“The return on investment is very, very good,” said Piyush Kumar, South Asia head of IDP Education (IEL.AX).

The Melbourne-based company sends Indian students to English-speaking countries including Canada, United States, UK and Australia.

The company plans to open 27 offices in small towns across India this year, encouraged by a more than 90% rise in enrolments after two years of the pandemic, he said.

Dazzling Prospects For Indians

Several foreign universities and their local partners are organising education fairs at costly five-star hotels and through virtual sessions in small towns to woo students.

At one such event, over 500 students gathered recently to explore opportunities with over 40 universities from Australia and Canada at a luxury hotel in Chandigarh, about 40 km from Ambala.

Gagandeep Singh, a small businessman from nearby Dera Bassi town, came with his daughter, who has received offers from some Australian universities.

“I have zeroed in on the University of Canberra, from where my sister has done Masters in Pharmacy,” said Jashandeep Kaur, Singh’s daughter, citing women’s safety and career prospects as her main considerations.

Improved internet access in recent years has allowed visa consultancies to reach new markets in rural areas, in addition to traditional advertising channels.

“We publish our success stories on Facebook and other platforms,” said Bhupesh Sharma, marketing head of Western Overseas, which has expanded to nine major cities in northern India and sent nearly a thousand students overseas.

“We aim to send about 5,000 students abroad this year,” said Pradeep Baliyan, its founder, adding they had also opened branches in Australia and Canada offering job placement services.

With over 300 million students in school and growing numbers seeking higher education, India is struggling to provide enough college spots and jobs for its young.

Prospects for women are particularly bleak, with a participation rate of just 25%, the lowest among major economies. That, coupled with the elimination of millions of salaried jobs in the last few years, has driven many Indians out.

Pull Factor

Indeed, many Western nations can’t reopen fast enough after two painful years of pandemic travel restrictions starved their economies of foreign labour and universities of full fee-paying international students.

In particular, the continued absence of Chinese students, with Beijing’s strict zero-COVID border policies still in place, has made Indian students even more important and intensified competition in the global education sector for their fees.

“The ease of securing permanent residency has become a big draw for Indian students rushing to Canada,” Rahul Oswal, the founder of consultancy Wisdom Overseas, said.

Compared with the UK and the United States, Canada’s post-graduate work and residency programmes are much more flexible, he added.

Canadian universities are tying up with international consultancies such as ApplyBoard and IDP to tap the booming demand for foreign education in India’s hinterland.

“We have a partnership with universities on one hand and on the other, tied up with local immigration services in India,” said David Tubbs, director of marketing communications at ApplyBoard, which runs an online platform for international student recruitment.

These agencies host about eight to 10 fairs a year including one large conference for the busy September intake and one in May, he said. A recent recruiters workshop in New Delhi drew more than 1,100 people.

According to ApplyBoard, Canadian academic institutions are more affordable than the UK, Australia and the United States. Canadian annual international undergraduate tuition costs averaged CRM144197.57, while graduate tuition costs averaged CRM86701.38, Tubbs said.

No More Iron Rice Bowl

Despite the promises, the passage to a new life in the West is neither easy nor guaranteed.

Many visas are currently stuck in limbo in places like Australia as immigration officials struggle to clear a backlog of applications made during the pandemic.

The costs of studying and living in countries like Canada, Australia and the United States are also extremely high for lower-income Indians.

“It is a huge amount, paying thrice the amount that a domestic student pay is a major problem we face, especially when it gets converted into Indian currency,” said Nitika Mishra, a student studying broadcasting at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario, said.

Yet even with the rupee around record lows, it’s a risk many Indians remain willing to take.

Every year, Ambala, a British colonial-era army cantonment, has typically drawn hundreds of youth into the military with the prospect of lifetime employment.

Recent amendments to India’s armed forces recruitment programme, however, have slashed benefits and tenure, downgrading one of the few avenues for social mobility in the country of 1.4 billion.

That triggered violent protests in some places in June and has forced thousands to reconsider their career paths.

“I prepared for two years, and had appeared for a written test to join the army. But now, I see no incentive to join,” said Vijay Chauhan, 18, taking English language classes at Western Overseas, where Sachin also did his visa preparation.

“There is no option but to quit India.” – Reuters

• New Malaysia Herald

The post Rural Indians Join The Race To Study Abroad As Opportunities At Home Dwindle first appeared on NMH.