After it was announced a few days ago that University Malaya (UM) engineering faculty will impalement direct intake of students for its programmes, there has been criticism against such move. One criticism is that the fee charged is too high.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has yesterday clarified that only foreigners and students who choose the direct intake programme, in which they forgo the UPU selection, would be charged the full fees under UM’s Centre for Continuing Education (UMCCed).
Full fees will be RM 90,000 for the entire course of direct intake programme while it will only cost RM 12,000 for those who are selected via UPU selection (non direct intake).
There are two issues which Datuk Seri Wee has failed to address.
The first question is why should there be two different fee structures for Malaysian students? Is it fair that some can enjoy heavily subsidised course fees while others have to pay the full fees?
It is a common practice for overseas universities to charge foreign students much higher tuition fees as a way to increase revenues. But their citizens will all enjoy same subsidised fees.
So why should not Malaysian citizens be entitled to same amount of subsidised fees?
The second question is will there be any difference in the entry requirements for direct and non direct intake programmes?
If the entry requirements are the same, why should students apply for direct intake programme that costs RM 90,000 compared to the non direct intake programme which costs only RM12, 000 for the entire course?
And if the entry requirements are different, where is the fairness?
According to the UM Engineering faculty’s website, the full fees programme is called the international programme.
Why is international programme not restricted to international students only? Is this because University Malaya Engineering faculty is not confident of attracting sufficient applications from foreign students?
Public universities play a different role from private universities. A public university is where poor students can have a chance to pursue tertiary education at cheap course fees. A public university should not forgo such important role.