SINTOK: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) welcomed 4,195 new students for its 48 undergraduate programmes for the 2024/2025 academic session, beginning today.
UUM vice-chancellor Pr ofessor Datuk Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan said the majority of these students are Malaysian, comprising Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia graduates, diploma holders, matriculation, UUM foundation and Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia candidates.
He said 2,977 of the new students are female, while 1,218 are male.
"Of the 4,061 Malaysian students registered, 3,860 were admitted through the online University Admission Unit system, while 201 are graduates of UUM's foundation in management programme.
"We also have 134 international students this intake, 79 of whom are undergraduates. This includes 64 from Indonesia, 12 from China, two from Palestine and one from Bangladesh. An additional 57 mobility students come from Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, France and China," he said at a press conference at UUM today.
He added that the Bachelor of Accounting with Honours programme saw the highest enrolment, with 315 students, followed by the Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours, which enrolled 236 students.
"As in previous years, we also welcome students with disabilities and those from the Orang Asli community. This year, 13 students from these groups have registered for their studies at UUM.
"Currently, UUM's total student population stands at 30,149, with 24,671 pursuing undergraduate degrees and 5,478 enrolled in postgraduate programmes," he said.
Commenting further, Foad reaffirmed the university's commitment to supporting underprivileged and disabled students, both locally and internationally.
He said students from poor families enrolling into the university today are getting a postponement in paying fees and other charges, as well as RM500 in cash aid.
"We have spent more than RM100,000 to provide initial support to 300 students from poor families to ensure they can attend and register for their bachelor's studies in the 2024/2025 session.
"The total aid amounts to RM92,500, with an additional 115 students receiving food boxes worth RM100 each, totalling RM11,500," he added.
He said this effort aligns with the directive from Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, to ensure universities admit underprivileged students and assist in facilitating initial educational aid through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) for those in need.
On Sept 19, Zambry instructed university administrators to accept disadvantaged students, stressing that no potential student should be denied education due to financial challenges.