Guarantee of Admission to Local Universities for Polytechnic Students with Required Grade Point Average

Dr Wan Rizal asked the Minister for Education considering the recent changes to the Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements for progression from ITE to polytechnics (a) whether there are plans to expand this approach to polytechnic students who wish to join universities upon graduation, whereby students with a GPA of 3.5 and above will be guaranteed admission into universities; and (b) if not, whether the Ministry can elaborate on the considerations behind this decision.

There are no plans to introduce guaranteed admission to the Autonomous Universities (AUs) for polytechnic students based on Grade Point Average (GPA). The AUs administer their own admissions exercise. Admissions criteria vary across the AUs and across courses, and the admissions process may include interviews and other forms of assessment.

Admission is based on merit, and the AUs assess all applicants fairly and objectively based on their demonstrated abilities and interests.  Polytechnic graduates who gain admission to the AUs may be granted credit exemptions if they apply to related courses.