World · Malaysia Bureau
UiTM suspends international undergraduate admissions to boost bumiputera access
Universiti Teknologi MARA has halted international undergraduate intake to prioritise places for bumiputera students from lower-income backgrounds. The decision also extends priority admission to Orang Asli communities and residents of Sabah and Sarawak.
LSN Malaysia ·
UiTM vice-chancellor Shahrin Sahib @ Sahibuddin announced the suspension of international undergraduate admissions, signalling a strategic shift to expand educational access for Malaysia's bumiputera population earning below the B40 income threshold.
The policy reorientation reflects the institution's commitment to supporting disadvantaged bumiputera groups, with particular emphasis on Orang Asli communities alongside residents from the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak. The move aims to address equity gaps in higher education access across these demographics.
The decision comes as Malaysian universities continue navigating competing priorities between international student recruitment and domestic inclusion objectives. UiTM, Malaysia's largest bumiputera-focused institution, has previously balanced its role as a vehicle for bumiputera advancement with international competitiveness.
The university has not specified the duration of the intake suspension or provided details on how the policy will affect existing international student pipelines and institutional revenue projections. Further clarification on implementation timelines and admissions procedures for prioritised groups is expected from the administration.