Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has announced plans to evaluate the current implementation of the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayment exemption for first-class bachelor’s degree graduates from B40 and M40 households studying at private higher education institutions (IPTS).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir emphasized the necessity of this review due to the lack of standardization in academic evaluation systems across IPTS compared to public universities (IPTA). He stressed the importance of developing a fair and accurate mechanism that accounts for these discrepancies before arriving at a final decision. Presently, the loan repayment exemption policy is applicable only to first-class graduates from B40 and M40 households at IPTA.
In addition to the loan repayment review, the government is restructuring the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem to incorporate new technologies and align higher education programs with industry demands. One of the significant reforms includes embedding artificial intelligence (AI) into TVET curricula at polytechnics, community colleges, and other relevant institutions. This initiative is part of Malaysia’s strategy to equip its workforce for the global technology revolution.
Minister Zambry highlighted collaborations with international industry giants like Geely and BYD, which are investing in Malaysia’s automotive, electrical, and high-tech sectors. These partnerships focus on technology transfer, trainer development, extended industrial training, joint curriculum development, and implementing a two-year industry and two-year university model to improve graduate employability.
Moreover, the ministry plans to introduce a new subject in General Studies (MPU) at universities, emphasizing character building, worldview development, and ethical understanding. This addition aims to produce graduates with robust skills, identity, intellect, and moral foundations, alongside a profound grasp of societal values and contemporary challenges.
Zambry noted that this new educational approach would connect character formation from preschool and school levels, as set out by the Ministry of Education (MOE), with the continued development of intellect and character at the university level.