Penang: The Jom Masuk U 2025 Carnival serves as a strategic platform for delivering comprehensive information about access to higher education institutions (IPTs), said Higher Education director-general Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman. She stated that the carnival is specially designed to achieve the Fourth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of the United Nations, which calls on all parties to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality access to higher education regardless of socioeconomic background.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the carnival provides an opportunity for the community, especially students who have completed the Sijil Pelajar Malaysia (SPM), Sijil Pelajaran Tinggi Malaydia (STPM), Diploma, Foundation and Matriculation, to receive guidance and detailed and up-to-date information from public and private universities as well as related agencies participating in today’s education exhibition. Datuk Prof Dr Azlinda Azman made these remarks during the opening speech of the Jom Masuk U 2025 Programme, Northern Zone. The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed was also present at the event.
Commenting further, Azlinda noted that the world is moving into a challenging era with technological advancements, rapid globalisation, and changes in the job market that require the country’s higher education system to transform and adapt. In this regard, she stated that the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), under the leadership of its minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abdul Kadir, has outlined seven main focuses as the direction for the country’s higher education this year.
“The seven focuses include Ensuring Access to Higher Education, which means ensuring that the opportunity to pursue education is felt by all layers of society, including the B40 group, Orang Asli, athletes, and persons with disabilities (PWD). The KPT also expresses a strong commitment to strengthening the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem, which is now a major focus for the development of skilled human capital,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nor Amizaa Dahlia Mohd Nasir, 18, shared that she visited the carnival with two friends to learn more about educational opportunities for further studies after recently receiving her SPM results. Her friend, Hazalia Natasha Kamarul Izham, 18, added that besides educational opportunities, they were also provided with information about scholarships and loans offered for those who wish to continue their studies to the next level.
The programme, organised by the KPT through the Department of Higher Education (JPT), is taking place for two days until tomorrow at USM’s Main Student Hall (DUP) and is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors from Penang and other northern states. A total of 56 exhibitors are involved in the programme, including leading public universities and private institutions, to provide direct advisory services related to study pathways, entry requirements, fields of study, financial aid, and scholarships.