UKM denies 5:1 international to local student ratio claim

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) has strongly denied viral social media allegations that its international student to local student ratio stands at 5:1. The university issued a statement addressing a video circulating on Facebook that claimed five international students for every one local student.

UKM clarified that its latest data from the Academic Management Centre and the Centre for Continuing & Professional Education shows a total of 46,151 students. Of this number, only 3,917 are international undergraduates, constituting just 8% of the entire student population. The university asserted that the alleged 5:1 ratio is far from the actual figure, which is closer to 1:12.

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The 5:1 ratio claimed is far from the actual facts, which are around 1:12.

The university reaffirmed its founding mission to prioritize education for Malaysian students. UKM stated that the intake of international students is carefully managed and does not compromise opportunities for local students. This approach aligns with the Ministry of Higher Education's agenda to promote the internationalization of Malaysia's education sector.

UKM urged the public to rely on official university channels for information and to avoid spreading unverified claims. The institution declared it takes the dissemination of false or misleading information seriously and will not hesitate to pursue legal action against those who continue to spread slander or untrue statements.

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The intake of international students is implemented in a controlled manner, in line with the call from the Ministry of Higher Education in driving the national education internationalization agenda.