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Published: Saturday January 26, 2013 MYT 12:56:00 PM
Updated: Saturday January 26, 2013 MYT 5:34:58 PM

5,200 varsity places for students from low socio-economic backgrounds

By JEANNETTE GOON


Khaled greeting students at the 2013 National Higher Education Carnival in University Malaya. Khaled greeting students at the 2013 National Higher Education Carnival in University Malaya.

PETALING JAYA: The Cabinet has approved the Higher Education Ministry's suggestions to allocate at least 5,200 places for public and polytechnic universities for students from low socio-economic backgrounds.

According to Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, although many of these students manage to obtain the minimum university entry requirements, they are unable to compete with other students within the merit system.

"Students who are selected to continue their studies will be financed by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) based on the existing requirements and procedures," said Khaled Nordin during his speech at the launch of the 2013 National Higher Education Carnival at Universiti Malaya Saturday.

He added that this new mechanism would create more opportunities for students in households with the lowest 40% of income to further their tertiary education.

"The higher education ministry will provide more information on this soon," he said

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