Good info lol
The odd part is the 2001 intake. Not direct friend so not very sure. Feels like cut off at 1999/2000 there

I was one of the students who took degree after SPM in 1999. It was UTM Skudai..it was called direct "entry programme" 4 years engineering course.. it was too crammed that I need to extend 1 semester to finish the course.

later in the thread someone says "UTM stopped the odd degree intakes shortly after 2000. the entire degree programme was reformed to ensure compliance to the bologna accord, and also to standardize the degree programmes in malaysia. back then, UTM's degree was 4-5 years, whereas degrees in other universities were only 3-4 years. the 1st year is always considered as a foundation programme, as the intake is all from SPM."

I think that is the accreditation by government body.. two of them forgot the name. After that Engineering course have to be 4 years excluding Foundation year.
I remember seeing my seniors courses' have people come and sit in and audit the FYP also
Starting to make more sense now

And also from UTM website:http://space.utm.my/foundation/
seems like they still have it? but the fees... wow wee not cheap

Yes UTM accepts SPM students of all races(I think the only IPTA) to do foundation and if their cgpa qualify can apply directly to degree course without going thru UPU. And the foundation lecturers are really good (mostly) and some are authors of academic books. 95% taught in English.
For <rm10k I would say the fee is reasonable or cheap compare with many IPTS and for the full 4-year Engineering tuition fees only rm11k+. Total ~rm20k+. Nowadays where to get a degree at this cost in IPTS?

https://www.topuniversities.com/university-...ical-electronic