Government Does Not Recognise UEC - Idris Jusoh
Bernama, March 24, 2014

KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- The government is resolute in its decision to not recognise the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) issued by the Malaysian Independent Chinese Secondary School, according to Second Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh.

He said the UEC process did not follow the national education system; nor was its standard similar to the national curriculum for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) or Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).

"We have our own examination board under the Education Act 1996, but the UEC is not consistent with it, so the government cannot recognise it," he said while winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address in the Dewan Rakyat, here today.

Idris said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister had also affirmed the government's position on the issue in August last year.

Meanwhile, he said Malaysia would not base the status of local universities on the QS World University Ranking system.

"Fifty per cent of the system is based on perception. But we are not saying that we reject the ranking totally. Many foreign universities too do not emphasise on ranking but their position in the fields.

"So according to the QS world university ranking by Subject, Universiti Sains Malaysia is ranked 38th for chemistry engineering and 30th in environmental science.

"Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia is ranked 19th in excellence for universities that are 50-years-old and below," he added. -- BERNAMA