Over 350 SPM holders chosen for UKM’s pre-U course

KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 365 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) holders are offered places at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) ASASIpintar pre-university programme at Pusat Genius@Pintar Negara (PGPN).

UKM said that of that number, 243 students were selected through the University Central Unit (UPU), 82 via the university’s Centre for Shaping Advanced and Professional Education (UKMShape) and 40 through Kolej Genius@Pintar Negara (KGPN).

“A total of 82 students who registered through UKMShape consist of 54 students sponsored by the Youth Talent Development Programme (YTP) under the management of the Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) while 22 are directly recruited through UKMShape and another six are sponsored by PETRONAS,” UKM said in a statement, BK reported.

In the same statement, UKM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman said that UKM’s ASASIpintar programme was offered by UKMShape for the first time to students sponsored by PETRONAS and the second time for the recruitment of students sponsored by YTP-Mara.

“YTP-Mara-sponsored students will continue to receive funding to obtain a degree in medicine, dentistry or pharmacy at UKM after completing the foundation programme,” he added.

Mohd Ekhwan said PETRONAS-sponsored students will continue their first degree studies at UKM’s Faculty of Economics and Management and Faculty of Law for the social science stream.

He advised students to use the opportunity to gain knowledge at PGPN in the best possible way and enjoy the opportunity to continue their education at a higher level, whether at UKM or other institutions of higher learning.

“The ASASIpintar students’ minds and souls need to be on par with a university student and different from other pre-university students.

“Improve your creativity and try to develop an outstanding personality, especially in terms of good social skills and self-confidence; dare to try new things; and work together in a group in order to develop your potential to become a graduate with holistic and marketable skills,” he added.

Meanwhile, UKMShape director Prof Datuk Dr Muhammad Hussin said the sponsorship will continue in the coming years to help high-achieving students showcase their talents on the international stage.PGPN director Prof Dr Rorlinda Yusof said UKM’s ASASIpintar programme was specially designed to challenge habits and go beyond the thinking of students who are not only trained to improve academic performance but are always encouraged to focus on identity development and leadership qualities.