UP_TVET Receives Over 189,000 Applications For July Intake

PETALING JAYA, June 26 (Bernama) -- The TVET Admission Unit (UP_TVET) received 189,304 applications to attend Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses nationwide for the July intake.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the number showed a significant increase compared to the previous intake of 146,000, thus showing the increasing interest in the TVET field among students.

In fact, UP_TVET is also coordinating the placement of students who failed to secure a place in public higher education institutions after completing the Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM). 

"For STPM students who could not get into any university, we would like to offer the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN), where six universities, especially those under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), namely Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia (UPTM), for them to choose courses that interest them," he said.

He said this after chairing the Coordination Meeting between the Minister of Rural and Regional Development and the Rural Exco Members (MEXCLUB) on June 26, 2025 here today.

According to Ahmad Zahid, the opportunity is open to all races to ensure that no students drop out of higher education, especially in the technical and professional fields which are currently in high demand in the job market.

"UniKL will offer technical courses while UPTM focuses on professional courses," he said.

At the meeting, Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, launched the Desa Kirana programme which focuses on efforts to strengthen the ecosystem and promote rural tourism products, as early preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.

He said two locations had been selected for the implementation of the programme this year, namely Kampung Lonek in Negeri Sembilan and Kampung Tanjung Surat in Johor, while 18 more locations were being identified.

The Desa Kirana Programme is a new initiative planned by the Community Economic Development Division (EK) of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), packaging existing tourism attractions in rural areas as a destination of choice for local and international tourists, including digital nomads who plan to temporarily settle in the location where the programme is being carried out.

Through comprehensive implementation and cooperation from various parties including the local community, government and private sector, the programme aims to improve the socio-economic status of rural areas and introduce the uniqueness of villages in this country to the international level.

The implementation of this programme is also supported through training, the use of existing facilities such as the Rural Community Centre (PKD) and NADI, as well as digital platforms such as Desamall for promotion and booking purposes.

-- BERNAMA