Kuala Lumpur: A total of 150,557 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2024 leavers have been offered places at public higher learning institutions (IPTA), the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) announced today. This figure accounts for 67.33 per cent of the 223,624 applications submitted through the UPUOnline system.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the ministry disclosed that of the total offers made, 86,589 applicants secured places at public universities, 42,058 at polytechnics, 20,427 at community colleges, and 1,483 at institutions under the MARA Higher Education Division. Additionally, 17,693 applicants were granted offers under the special pathway. This category includes 16,189 individuals from the B40 group, 590 persons with disabilities, 593 athletes, and 321 Orang Asli.

The ministry further noted that 43 applicants from institutions under the Social Welfare Department received offers at IPTA. The selection process adhered to the principle of meritocracy, evaluating all qualified candidates from the highest to the lowest merit score.

For the current year, 349 academic programs were made available, including 41 certificate-level, 55 foundation, 252 diploma, and one bachelor’s degree program. Applicants who were not extended an offer have the opportunity to appeal via the UPUOnline system within 10 days, with the appeal period closing at 5 pm on June 25.