UPU Online 2020

APPLICATIONS to enroll in public higher-learning institutions for the UPU Online 2020 2020/2021 academic session will be opened starting from noon on Feb 24 through the Central University Admission Unit online portal (UPUonline).

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) school leavers, or those with equivalent qualifications, can purchase a unique ID number from Bank Simpanan Nasional at RM15.60 each, allowing them to access UPUonline, which is managed by the Education Ministry.

Applications can be made under several categories — for example, Lepasan SPM 2019, Lepasan STPM Aliran Sastera, Lepasan Matrikulasi and Lepasan Diploma, so applicants need to make sure they purchase their ID under the correct category.

This year, the portal will manage applications to matriculation colleges and Teacher Education Institutes, besides public universities, polytechnics, community colleges and skills training institutions. Applicants will receive admission to only one of the institutes.

While the general applications are set to open to SPM 2019, 2018 and 2017 leavers, matriculation will only be open to SPM 2019 leavers.

Entry into a degree programme will see STPM school leavers competing with students from matriculation, foundation, diploma, Diploma in Skills Malaysia, Sijil Tinggi Agama Malaysia certificate and equivalent qualifications, namely A Level, International Baccalaureate Diploma and Australian Matriculation.

Information on the minimum entry requirements can be obtained at the portal.

All applications are processed by a computerised system and the selections are subject to academic qualifications and availability of each institution.

This year, UPUonline will offer a feature whereby applicants can gauge their chances of getting a place in a particular programme by submitting merit points from their trial exam results based on UPU applications analysis from past years.

Once the SPM and STPM 2019 results are out, students will be matched with real-time data that would allow them to see their probability of getting a place in a particular programme.

Students can also download the UPU Pocket mobile application for easier access to services related to university enrolment, such as e-Guide, UPU status checker and public universities information.

The UPU application deadline is March 31 for SPM leavers and April 7 for STPM leavers.

Jom Masuk IPT 2020, or the National Higher Education Carnival, will be returning this year to eight zones across Malaysia.

School leavers can buy their UPU ID numbers (after Feb 24), gain valuable information on higher-learning institutions, compare programmes at different universities and receive guidance to make the right academic decisions.

Beginning from Persada Johor International Convention Centre in Johor (Feb 15 to 16), the carnival will proceed to Universiti Malaysia Pahang, Gambang campus (Feb 22 to 23), Taman Tasik Darul Aman in Jitra, Kedah (Feb 29 to March 1), Sabah International Convention Centre (March 7 to 8), Amanjaya Convention Centre Casuarina@Meru

 in Ipoh, Perak (March 14 to 15), Terengganu Sports Complex (March 14 to 15), Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching, Sarawak (March 21 to 22) and Malaysia Agro Exposition Park in Serdang, Selangor (March 28 to 29).

For details, call 03-8870 8200 or email upu@mohe.gov.my.