Malaysia Pulse delivers breaking news, politics, business, sports and lifestyle coverage from Malaysia and Southeast Asia — trusted, timely and independent.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has defended the government's matriculation intake policy, stating it carefully balances academic merit with ensuring disadvantaged students have genuine pathways to higher education.
Malaysia's RM250 million Politeknik Kota Belud has entered its implementation phase following land compensation settlements. The facility, slated for 2030 completion, will specialise in high-tech fields including green energy and artificial intelligence.
Selangor's government aims to nearly double the number of students receiving its university study aid scheme to 5,000 by 2027, responding to overwhelming demand that has seen over 5,000 applications annually.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia is strengthening its collaboration with media organisations to combat misinformation and enhance the visibility of academic research, addressing growing threats to institutional reputation in the digital age.
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris is investigating options to build a private specialist hospital in Tanjong Malim, addressing healthcare needs for international students and staff while supporting the region's knowledge economy aspirations.
The Public Service Department has launched applications for the 2026 Dermasiswa B40 scholarship programme, offering diploma sponsorships to 2025 SPM graduates from low-income households through August 16.
Australia has unveiled a new scholarship programme allowing Malaysian students to complete part of their degrees at Australian universities. The initiative aims to deepen people-to-people connections and strengthen economic cooperation between the two nations.
Malaysia's Deputy Higher Education Minister has confirmed that universities possess the authority to terminate student internship placements and bring students back if workplace safety hazards are identified during their assignments.
Malaysia's Higher Education Ministry is stepping up oversight of student safety across West Asia following escalating security concerns, working closely with diplomatic channels to track thousands of Malaysians studying in the region.
The Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has officially inaugurated Universiti Al-Quran Al-Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah Pahang (UNIQSAAS), rebranded from its previous incarnation to reflect a renewed commitment to Quranic scholarship.
The Ministry of Higher Education is establishing stronger monitoring mechanisms and coordination between Malaysian universities, accreditation bodies, and professional regulators to prevent qualification recognition problems affecting overseas graduates.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has decided to keep Malaysia's Sixth Form pre-university system under the Ministry of Education's control for now, reversing an earlier announcement that the Higher Education Ministry would assume responsibility.
Malaysia's Higher Education Ministry will establish Jelai Community College in Pahang's Mukim Batu Yon, a RM55 million facility designed to deliver vocational training and agricultural technology programmes to rural communities.
Despite tougher US immigration policies introduced by President Trump's administration, Southeast Asian students remain largely committed to American universities, though growing security concerns and visa complexity are prompting some to reconsider.
Twenty Malaysian students have been selected for an intensive aerospace internship programme in Ankara, Türkiye, marking the fourth year of collaboration between MIGHT, TUSAŞ, and Malaysian universities.
Malaysia's Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir has reaffirmed the government's dedication to protecting academic freedom and promoting informed scholarly debate across the nation's universities.
Malaysia's higher education institutions are using new generative AI guidelines from the Ministry of Higher Education to establish clear protocols for responsible technology use while maintaining academic standards.
Malaysia's Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir has emphasized the importance of weaving artificial intelligence and emerging technologies into university curricula while maintaining strong ethical and moral foundations to prepare graduates for future challenges.
Malaysia is positioning itself as a global centre for higher education and intellectual dialogue, with Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir highlighting the nation's commitment to fostering inclusive knowledge ecosystems ahead of the 8th World Conference on Islamic Thought and Civilisation.
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting economically disadvantaged students through expanded scholarships and financial assistance programmes, as the institution welcomes its largest new intake of diploma-level students since establishment.
Malaysia's Higher Education Ministry is accepting applications for new academic programmes at Sabah's public institutions to broaden study options and reduce dependency on Peninsular Malaysia campuses.
The Ministry of Higher Education has reassured Malaysians that international student enrolment does not compromise opportunities for local applicants, with international students representing just 8.9% of public university intake.
Indian authorities have ordered the demolition of 38 of 40 buildings at Mohammad Ali Jauhar University in Uttar Pradesh, citing unauthorized construction. The university was founded by a prominent Samajwadi Party politician currently imprisoned.
PKR Wanita has called for immediate reforms to the PTPTN system, including removal of the 15% debt collection agency fee and direct loan restructuring options for struggling borrowers facing financial hardship.
UPSI and the Malaysian Sepaktakraw Federation have partnered to create educational pathways for athletes while advancing coaching standards and sports science research in the traditional Southeast Asian sport.
Chinese universities are cracking down on exam cheating by prohibiting smart devices and deploying AI surveillance systems, as students increasingly exploit wearable technology to access answers during tests.
The University of North Sumatra has launched an internal investigation into a student accused of sexually harassing around 60 people across multiple institutions. The case, which went viral on social media, underscores growing institutional responses to campus misconduct in Indonesia.
Starting July 15, approximately 1.18 million students enrolled at Malaysian institutions of higher learning will be able to redeem RM100 MADANI Book Vouchers through the MySiswaPlace portal, with access to over 300 local publishers and booksellers.
An 18-year-old from Perak nearly abandoned her university dreams due to financial constraints, but Universiti Malaysia Terengganu's intervention through scholarships and living assistance enabled her to pursue a degree in maritime studies.
Sunway University partnered with entertainment company Space Panda to raise RM4,880 for the Malaysian Association for the Blind through a creative claw machine fundraising campaign on campus.
The National Defence University of Malaysia has launched a RM1.9 million Creative Hub featuring advanced digital production studios and collaborative maker spaces, marking a significant step in the institution's academic modernisation strategy.
Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has suggested establishing special leadership and political courses for Student Representative Councils, arguing that structured education in civic matters will help young voters make informed electoral choices.
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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has extended tax exemption for Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology for a further ten years, marking government support for affordable private higher education in Malaysia.
The Malaysian government has drastically reduced a promised 10-year tax exemption for Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology's education foundation to just three years, with new restrictions that exclude tuition fees and other legitimate revenue from exemption.
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The National Higher Education Fund Corporation collected RM197 million in loan repayments through debt negotiation agencies between July 2025 and May this year, marking a 6.4 per cent increase from the previous year's corresponding period.
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka has launched an innovative community rehabilitation centre in Serkam combining advanced robotics, exoskeletons, and automated therapy systems to improve recovery outcomes for stroke and mobility-impaired patients.
Malaysia's Finance Ministry has granted TARC Education Foundation a three-year interim tax exemption extension, contingent on improvements in governance and donation management, ahead of potential full 10-year approval.
A 19-year-old from Kelantan nearly rejected an admission offer to study medicine at Al-Azhar University due to inability to afford RM100,000 in fees. MARA has now stepped in with sponsorship options including language preparation.
A researcher's discovery of a woman presenting under four different identities at a Copenhagen conference has exposed widespread academic fraud in Indonesia and Malaysia, raising urgent questions about research credibility across Southeast Asia.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia has firmly rejected viral social media claims that it admits five international students for every local student, stating the actual ratio is one international for every 12 students.
Malaysia's MARA has redirected its sponsored students away from US universities for 2025 and 2026, citing geopolitical uncertainties and policy concerns. Alternative placements prioritise world-class institutions in other nations.
Malaysia is positioning higher education as a cornerstone of its deepening relationship with African nations, with Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli emphasizing education, trade and investment as interconnected pillars driving regional partnerships and economic cooperation.