Or as Anthony Loke of DAP claimed, they want to expand access for UEC graduates to education?
As it is presently, universities around the world that accept UEC qualification are from
Australia (inclusive of the prestigious The Australian National University, University of Melbourne, RMIT etc), Ireland – where University College Cork (UCC) which is globally renowned for its world-class medical and dental education, producing highly skilled healthcare professionals whose degrees are recognized worldwide, UK with University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, amongst many others recognising UEC graduates, US where Caltech, Harvard University, Purdue University recognising UEC graduates.
Universities in countries like Japan, Singapore, France, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong do also bestow recognition on all UEC holders who are duly qualified.
Are the parents to these kids who sat and passed their UEC exams but can’t get admitted into public universities going to rant and cry and blame the government for not allowing their kids to enrol into public universities when universities in those countries readily admit them?
Do not kid the public.
In a global survey commissioned by HSBC Group across 15 countries themed “The Value of Education” to canvass the hopes and aspirations of parents with regards to the education of their children, Malaysian parents were found to perceive countries that offer the highest quality education in descending order are UK, Australia, Malaysia, Japan and US.
Except for our own country, a number of universities in these other countries are in the list set out above that recognised and accept UEC graduates for admission into their universities.
Even if recognition is granted, parents will face another uphill battle.
Every year, every university admissions season brings familiar reactions—disappointment, confusion, frustration and growing public scepticism about whether the system truly operates on equal terms.
Officials said candidates were selected based on “merit scores”, with applicants ranked from highest to lowest.
On paper, the process appears straightforward and fair.
But beneath the official explanations lies a persistent national unease that refuses to disappear.
No reasonable person expects every student to secure a university placement.
Competition inevitably produces successful and unsuccessful applicants.
Malaysia’s higher education system includes multiple entry routes such as STPM, matriculation, foundation programmes, diplomas and other preparatory streams.
Debates have persisted for years over whether these pathways are equally rigorous and whether students from different systems are truly being assessed on comparable standards.
Many STPM students, in particular, have long argued that they face a more demanding examination structure while competing against applicants from pathways perceived to be less academically challenging.
UEC should not be used for political branding or public relations.
Do not drive into the psyche and minds of the young in this country that effort and achievement do not matter within their own country.
When young people begin feeling that hard work does not consistently translate into fair opportunities, the damage extends far beyond education.
It slowly erodes trust in institutions, national belonging and confidence in the future of this country.
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