DEAR FRIENDS, THE DOOR IS NOT CLOSED !

Dear STPM leavers,

The time has come for you to make the most important decision in your life. Most of you would have applied to the Institusi Pengajian Tinggi Awam (IPTA) and some of you would have already received an offer to do your desired tertiary programme. Congratulations on your success and hope that you will carry on your fight and continue achieving good grades in your studies and graduate with distinction.

For those who have not received an offer for your desired programme, please do not give up. You have an equal opportunity out there just like your friend who has just made it to the IPTA. If you take a look at the other side of the Malaysian education, you will find the Intistusi Pengajian Tinggi Swasta (Private - Colleges, University Colleges and Universities) (IPTS) which provides good quality degree programmes as well. The general perception of most Malaysian students seeking Tertiary Education is that the IPTS programmes are much inferior compared with IPTA programmes. I would like say that this is not true. There are many multinational companies that are looking forward to hire graduates from IPTS. In terms of the quality of the education, IPTS are strictly monitored and regulated by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) formerly known as Lembaga Akreditasi Negara (LAN). This agency is under the Kementerian Pendidikan Tinggi Malaysia which clearly shows that the Government has taken measures to ensure that the standard and quality of the programmes offered by the IPTS is on par with the IPTA programmes. Looking at this, one should not doubt the quality of programmes offered by IPTS.

There are a wide range of recognised degree programmes such as Engineering, Law, Commerce, Medical Sciences and many other career based programmes offered by the IPTS which an STPM leaver could enrol and become a successful professional. In addition, most IPTS students are able to obtain a loan from Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi (PTPTN) which covers full tuition fees as well as accommodation costs for selected institutions.*. So don’t give up if you have been denied a place at the IPTA as there is always an IPTS to help you. Please seek advice from a qualified person or graduates from an IPTS before you a make decision concerning your career path.

Deva Guru

Taiping, Malaysia

23^rd June 2008

*Depends on the IPTS fees