KUALA LUMPUR: The screening of candidates who applied for places in post-SPM programmes at public tertiary education institutions via UPUOnline for the 2020/2021 academic session is set to begin next week.
Running from April 29 to May 20, the interviews or tests will be conducted by the respective public universities, teacher education institutes (IPGs), the Matriculation Division of the Education Ministry, the Department of Polytechnic and Community Colleges, as well as the skills training institutes (ILKAs).
Director of the Student Admission Division at the Higher Education Ministry, Wahi Nordin, stated that in view of the Covid-19 crisis, the institutions are free to choose the methods of conducting interviews or tests – whether face-to-face, online, via YouTube, video, or other appropriate ways to ensure that they obtain the best candidates who qualify for the programmes.
“Part of the student selection process – undergoing the interviews or tests – is a condition of admission to specific programmes as determined by the university or institution’s senate,” he said.
Decisions on the admission of SPM school graduates into certificate, foundation, matriculation, diploma and Bachelor of Education (PISMP) programmes are expected to be announced on June 3.
For STPM certificate holders and those of equivalent qualifications, interviews and admission exams for relevant programmes will be conducted by public universities from June 1 to July 21.
“Post-foundation and matriculation candidates can update their programme selections in Phase 2, from July 20 to 24. Diploma or equivalent qualification holders can upload required documents within the same period,” said Wahi.
Selection results for STPM or equivalent applicants for admission into bachelor degree programmes at public universities are expected to be announced on Aug 18.
All application results will be announced through the http://upu.mohe.gov.my portal and UPUPocket, which is a mobile application that can be downloaded on mobile devices. The status of applications and appeal decisions can also be checked via UPUPocket.
The UPUOnline application to public tertiary education institutions closed on April 17.
Managed by the Central University Admission Division at the Higher Education Ministry, the UPUOnline deadline was extended from March 31 for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) school leavers and April 7 for Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) certificate holders and those with equivalent qualifications.
This was to allow students ample time to submit their applications amid the enforcement of the Covid-19 movement control order (MCO).