UKM denies 5:1 international-to-local student ratio

 The university says foreigners make up just 8% of its student population of 46,151.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said it is committed to its founding mission of advancing education for Malaysians.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has denied allegations on social media that it has five international students for every local student.

UKM described the claim of a 5:1 international-to-local student ratio as “completely false”.

In a statement today, the university said the latest data from its academic management centre and the centre for continuing education and professional studies shows a total student population of 46,151, of whom only 3,917 are international undergraduates.

Based on the official figures, it said, international undergraduates account for just 8% of the total student population, making the actual ratio about one international student for every 12 students.

“The university takes a serious view of the spread of false or misleading information that could tarnish its reputation and will not hesitate to take legal action against any individual or party that continues to disseminate defamatory or inaccurate claims,” the statement said.

It reaffirmed its commitment to its founding mission of advancing education for Malaysians, stressing that the admission of international students does not come at the expense of opportunities for local students.

“The admission of international students is carried out in a controlled manner, in line with the higher education ministry’s aspiration to strengthen the country’s internationalisation of the higher education sector,” it said.

The university also urged the public to obtain information only from its official communication channels and to refrain from sharing unverified or misleading information. - FMT