LABUAN — Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has strengthened its commitment to expanding access to higher education through the UMS Aspirations Roadshow Programme involving Form Six students in Beaufort recently.
Held at Dewan Pa’ Musa in Beaufort, the programme aimed to provide students with comprehensive information on opportunities to pursue studies at public universities and enhance their awareness of the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) as a key pathway to higher education.
The programme was organised by the UMS Labuan Faculty of International Finance (FKAL) in collaboration with the university’s Centre for Academic Development and Excellence (PPKA).
The initiative received the full support of UMS Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Datuk Dr Rossita Shapawi, while its coordination was led by PPKA director Associate Prof Dr Darmesah Gabda.
The programme was officiated by Sabah Assistant Minister I of Local Government and Housing Datuk Isnin Aliasnih @ Liasnih, who is also Klias assemblyman.
Also present were Beaufort District Education Officer Gani Senang and FKAL dean Associate Prof Dr Geoffrey Harvey Tanakinjal.
The UMS delegation also included Deputy Dean (Academic) Dr Ricky Chia Chee Jiun, Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) Dr Alesia Sigang Gugkang, Deputy Dean (Student Affairs and Alumni) Dr Noor Hassanah Husin, and Senior Deputy Registrar Zamri Mohd Tuah.
In his opening speech, Isnin said higher education was a key catalyst for the development of quality human capital and Sabah’s socioeconomic growth.
He urged Form Six students to use the educational opportunities provided by the government as a stepping stone towards building a brighter future.
Isnin also commended UMS for continuously reaching out to students in rural districts to ensure that accurate information on university admissions was delivered directly to its target groups.
“Such an approach not only increases students’ confidence in pursuing higher education but also helps them make more suitable academic choices based on their interests and potential,” he said.
Meanwhile, Geoffrey said the government was implementing an important transformation of the pre-university education system through the transfer of the management of STPM and matriculation programmes from the Education Ministry to the Higher Education Ministry.
He said the initiative, introduced under the Malaysia Higher Education Blueprint 2026–2035, was aimed at positioning STPM as a more competitive pre-university pathway comparable to foundation, matriculation and A-Level programmes.
He said aligning the curriculum with the first year of study at public universities, introducing credit transfers for selected subjects and improving the academic system would provide students with greater advantages when pursuing university education.
Geoffrey said all STPM graduates who achieved a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.00 were guaranteed a place at a public university, while programme selection was conducted transparently through a merit-based system comprising 90 per cent academic achievement and 10 per cent co-curricular achievement.
“Although competition for certain programmes is highly intense, every student will be considered based on merit and the availability of places in the programmes offered,” he said.
During the sharing session, students were briefed on various academic programmes offered by UMS, particularly at FKAL, including International Finance, International and Offshore Banking, International Marketing, International Financial Economics and Islamic Finance.
Information was also shared on admission requirements, the UPU application process, scholarships and financial assistance, international mobility opportunities, student leadership development and graduate employability.
Students also took the opportunity to seek clarification on study programme options, admission requirements, campus life, university facilities and career prospects in various professional fields.
The UMS Aspirations Roadshow Programme is part of the university’s continuing efforts to expand access to quality higher education, particularly among students in Sabah’s rural districts.
Through its outreach approach, UMS hopes that more Form Six students will recognise STPM as a quality and competitive academic pathway to public universities.
The initiative also reflects UMS’ commitment to supporting the aspirations of the Higher Education Ministry, Education Ministry, Sabah Education Department and district education offices in developing knowledgeable, skilled and competitive young people capable of contributing to Sabah’s development and Malaysia’s future progress.
