Education news in Malaysia
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EC English shuts all 25 schools worldwide, over 1,000 students hit
The global English language school group EC English announced without warning on Monday that it is ceasing operations, closing all 25 schools across Britain, Ireland, Canada, the United States, the UAE, South Africa and Malta and entering liquidation. Executive chairman Andrew Mangion said the group had exhausted every option to find investors, leaving more than 1,000 enrolled students stranded.
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600 students from 64 institutions join Sarawak IC design challenge
More than 600 students from 64 institutions took part in the SMD IC Design Make-A-Thon in Sarawak this year. At a ceremony at CENTEXS in Santubong, the first chip designed by students through the SMD IC Design Competition 2025 was unveiled. The programme is part of the Sarawak Semiconductor Roadmap 2030 to build local talent for the state's semiconductor ecosystem.
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FOS'26 at PSAS brings STEM, TVET closer to the public
The STEM Festival 2026 (FOS'26) closed at Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah in Behrang with over 400 participants taking part in activities to spark interest in STEM. Perak education exco Datuk Khairuddin Abu Hanifah said the programme is key to producing highly skilled human capital, and TVET should not be seen as a last resort. Polytechnic and Community College Education director Dr Shamsuri Abdullah said 32,000 applications were received for the 2026/2027 session against 24,000 places offered.
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CENTEXS-SMD semiconductor mastery programme to be expanded nationwide
The CENTEXS-SMD Semiconductor Mastery Programme will be expanded nationwide with federal government and national industry support, Premier Abang Johari said at a ceremony at CENTEXS in Santubong, Kuching. He cited SMD's recent agreement with China's Linyang Energy Group and a planned industrial lab with UNIMAS as signs Sarawak's semiconductor ecosystem is maturing.
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45 graduates of CENTEXS-SMD semiconductor programme land jobs
In Kuching, 45 graduates of the CENTEXS-SMD Semiconductor Mastery Programme have secured jobs in the semiconductor industry, including at SMD Semiconductor, Melexis and X-FAB. Local students also produced their first chip through the SMD IC Design Competition 2025, which drew over 60 participants from 16 institutions.
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Rukun Negara Oratory Contest Draws Record 10,494 Entries
The national-level Rukun Negara Oratory Competition has drawn a record 10,494 participants this year, up from 9,312 in 2025. The final was held at the Melaka International Trade Centre, where Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the figure shows the national principles remain rooted in young Malaysians.
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Sabah to keep funding student aid schemes, says Azrul
Sabah Chief Minister's Chief Political Secretary Datuk Azrul Ibrahim said the voices of Sabah students studying outside the state must be heard, especially on cost-of-living issues. He said Permasa UM raised airfares, accommodation, education opportunities and sponsorships during a courtesy call, and that state initiatives including Budi, GRS SubFly, Sentosa and TPNS will continue, with RM155 million allocated for BKNS in 2026.
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Anwar: Malaysia to fix bureaucratic issues for Maldivian students, boost healthcare ties
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will resolve bureaucratic issues affecting Maldivian students and their parents, and will strengthen healthcare cooperation with the Maldives. Speaking in Malé alongside Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Anwar noted over 2,000 Maldivian students are studying in Malaysia. The two countries also agreed to pursue a preferential trade agreement and deepen tourism, halal industry and cultural cooperation.
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SMK Ghafar Baba wins Melaka pantun competition, advances to Southern Zone final in Johor Bahru
SMK Ghafar Baba emerged champion of the 2026 DRB-HICOM-Harian Metro Proverb-themed Pantun Competition at the Melaka state level, held in Banda Hilir. The school will represent Melaka at the Southern Zone final at Maktab Abu Bakar in Johor Bahru on Sept 29. More than 300 students attended the competition, which was judged by four professionals.
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Fadhlina: Parents can bring children for free learning-disability screening at Education Ministry
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek, speaking after an event at Gua Musang National School in Kelantan, urged parents to bring children showing slow development or learning difficulties for free screening with ministry experts. She said the screening covers autism, ADHD and speech therapy, and includes indigenous children.
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SK Beluru Central rebuilt at RM20m under Sarawak school upgrade
Sekolah Kebangsaan Beluru Central in Sarawak has been redeveloped at a cost of RM20 million, giving rural pupils more comfortable facilities. The project, completed in May 2024, includes an administration block, academic block, hostels and a dining hall.
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SMK Chung Hua Miri students win national robotics title, head to WRO Puerto Rico
A robotics team from SMK Chung Hua Miri won the RoboSports Double Tennis category at the National Robotics Competition (NRC) 2026 held at INTI International University in Seremban on 6-10 September. The win qualifies them to represent Malaysia at the World Robot Olympiad in Puerto Rico.
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Fadhlina: Parents urged to screen children early for autism, ADHD
Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek urged parents to bring children for early screening for learning difficulties such as autism spectrum disorder and ADHD, speaking at Sekolah Kebangsaan Gua Musang. She said the ministry offers free assessments, speech therapy and psychological support, and that literacy and numeracy, including for Orang Asli children, remain a priority.
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UniMAP signs MoU with Muhammadiyah, opens cooperation with 165 Indonesian universities
Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Muhammadiyah Central Leadership Higher Education Research and Development Council, Yogyakarta, opening access to cooperation with 165 higher education institutions across Indonesia. The signing took place in Medan alongside the proclamation of the Raja Muda of Perlis as the first Chancellor of Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia.
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UM to launch 121st anniversary celebration on Sept 19
Universiti Malaya will launch its 121st anniversary celebration (UM121) on 19 September 2026 at its campus. The launch will be officiated by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah, who is also UM Chancellor, and features the first Royal Brisk Walk with over 2,000 UM members. A series of UM121 programmes runs until December 2026.
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Sunway Students and Seniors Mark Merdeka Together
Students from Sunway International Schools spent an afternoon with residents of Sunway Sanctuary at the school's Kuala Lumpur campus for a Merdeka-themed gathering. The session paired students with senior residents for activities and conversations aimed at bridging generations. Principal Richard Cherry said such interactions give students values and human connections beyond the classroom.
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UPSI expands Kadazandusun, Iban and Semai as degree majors
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) in Tanjong Malim, Perak, became the first Malaysian higher education institution to offer tertiary programmes in Kadazandusun and Iban in 2010, and in 2024 expanded these plus Semai into majors under its Bachelor of Education. Lecturers Julita Norjietta Taisin and Saripah Anak Banseng say a shortage of trained teachers and dwindling daily use threaten the languages, and that more learning materials and digital content are needed.
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Zambry urges POLYCC to build AI culture on campus
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir called on polytechnic and community college leaders to embed artificial intelligence into campus culture. He said AI is not just about using apps but about working faster and producing job-ready graduates. The event in Shah Alam also launched the POLYCC Agentic AI League 2026 and the POLYCC AI Buddy platform, with PTSS Arau crowned champion.
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25 Shah Alam students compete in NST junior journalist contest
Twenty-five students from four Shah Alam secondary schools took part in the inaugural New Straits Times Heard The News Junior Journalists Challenge. Shrilaxmi Harenath Rao of SMK Bukit Jelutong won, with Sanjanaah Mages Varan and Qaseh Nazatul Nabila Mohd Ridzuan of SMK TTDI Jaya second and third. The event, held for NST's 181st anniversary, was supported by the Petaling Perdana Education Office and sponsored by Nestle.
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77 students take White Coat pledge at Duke-NUS Medical School
At Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, 77 students took the medical pledge at the White Coat Ceremony on August 14. This year saw more women enrol, with 38 of the 49 female students having switched to medicine from other fields. Among them is Aparna Giri Shankar, who came from public health.
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SUTD opens AI gateway giving 3,000 students access to 15 models
The Singapore University of Technology and Design has launched the SUTD Large Language Model Gateway, giving its 3,000 students and 170 faculty members access to 15 AI models from six providers including OpenAI, Anthropic and Google from Sept 14. The platform also offers an API key connecting users to a marketplace of over 500 additional models, and the university says the list will grow as technology develops.
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UPNM offers financial help to top STPM student Siti Farah Damia
Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) is helping Siti Farah Damia Mohd Khairi, 20, a top STPM student facing financial constraints to continue her studies. UPNM Vice-Chancellor Lt Gen Datuk Arman Rumaizi Ahmad said her admission, registration and financing will be eased ahead of new student registration on 20 September. UPNM expects 1,273 new students for the 2026/2027 academic session and is channelling early welfare aid to 41 needy students nationwide.
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Sagah inspects delayed RM9.89m SK Kampung Selanyau project
The RM9.89 million full replacement project for Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampung Selanyau in Subis, categorised as a sick project, is being given serious attention. Sarawak Education, Innovation and Talent Development Minister Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn made a working visit to the school recently and stressed that all parties must fulfil their roles and complete the works within the stipulated timeframe. The project, handed over in May 2021 and originally due in July 2022, covers classrooms, an administration building, laboratories and teachers' quarters.
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One-eyed student enters USM, shares story of losing sight
At Universiti Sains Malaysia in Georgetown, two new students shared their life stories during registration for the 2026/2027 academic session. Batrisya Umairah Ahmad Rezuan, 20, who can only see with her right eye after two nerve surgeries, is pursuing English Language and Literature studies. Nurul Atiqah Husna Azli, 20, from Pasir Mas, Kelantan, was raised by her grandparents and is now in the Education programme.