Shah alam: Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) reaffirms its commitment to continue implementing its establishment mandate based on the Universiti Teknologi MARA Act 1976 (Act 173), including ensuring that access to higher education continues to benefit the university's target groups.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UiTM has announced that for the past two years it has not been admitting international students for postgraduate programmes at the Master's and Doctorate levels. The approach reflects the university's priority in empowering the Bumiputera through knowledge, talent development, and professionalism, in line with current needs and the nation's aspirations.

UiTM also explained that the term 'underserved' used by UiTM vice-chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr. Shahrin Sahib @ Sahibuddin, in a previous media statement, referred to marginalised groups or communities with limited access to education, including those who meet merit criteria but still lack adequate opportunities. The group in question specifically includes Bumiputera from the B40 group, the Orang Asli community, as well as Sabah and Sarawak children.

"UiTM will continue to strive to ensure that quality education becomes a catalyst for the development of potential, improvement of living standards, and social mobility of the targeted community," according to the statement. UiTM added that it remains steadfast in fulfilling its trust and founding mandate in providing access to education and empowering Bumiputera through knowledge, talent development, and professionalism.