Forum: Improving Fairness in Public University Admissions

On May 17, 2025, Architects of Diversity (AOD) hosted a public forum and report launch titled “Who Gets In? Improving Fairness in Public University Admissions” at Common Ground Jaya One, PJ. The event brought together education experts, civil society voices, and students to address longstanding challenges within Malaysia’s centralised admissions platform (UPU).

Moderated by Anas Hayyan from the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, the forum featured panelists Raenuga Indran (Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman) and Dr. Doria Abdullah (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia), alongside AOD Executive Director Jason Wee, who presented key findings from the new AOD report Differentiated Access.

The discussion unpacked systemic barriers in Malaysia’s university admissions, such as information asymmetry, the hidden curriculum, and the uneven weightage between STPM and matriculation pathways. Participants also explored reform ideas including the use of AI-powered course matching, district-level admission support officers, and greater transparency in placement decisions and appeals.

The accompanying report—supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands—draws on extensive consultations, comparative research, and townhall findings to offer 12 key policy recommendations. These include decentralising decision-making, expanding outreach to underserved communities, and revisiting co-curricular scoring criteria to create a more inclusive and equitable admissions ecosystem.

As Malaysia navigates growing demands for social mobility and trust in public institutions, AOD believes that improving the UPU system to address both socioeconomic and racial tensions is both urgent and possible. We thank all who attended and contributed to this important national conversation.

Read the Report Here