KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia risks losing some of its brightest students to overseas institutions unless the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is recognised, Datuk Tan Yew Sing, chairman of Dong Zong, warned during a recent Scoop Insight podcast hosted by Big Boom Media Group Editor-in-Chief Terence Fernandez and Head of Podcasting Shazmin Shamsuddin.
Tan highlighted that UEC graduates are increasingly sought after by universities worldwide, especially in China, Singapore, the US, and the UK, and that many top students remain abroad due to the lack of domestic pathways.
“Top graduates in Science and Mathematics often remain overseas, despite Malaysia offering incentives for top graduates from Cambridge, Oxford, and Harvard,” he said.
“Recognition is not just symbolic. It is about enabling Malaysia to capitalise on the skills and global exposure of its multiracial student population.”
He pointed out that Singapore and China actively attract high-performing students from Malaysia’s independent schools with generous scholarships.
“Singapore, for example, offers top students from independent schools scholarships to pursue science and engineering degrees. China does the same, especially under initiatives like the Belt and Road scholarship programmes,” Tan said.
Tan emphasised that Malaysia’s multiracial students have a unique advantage in global competitiveness.
“Our students are not only academically strong but also cross-culturally adaptable. They can work in Africa, the Middle East, China, or Europe because of their multicultural upbringing and exposure,” he said.
He urged policymakers to provide domestic pathways for UEC graduates to study and work in Malaysia.
“Without recognition, we risk losing a generation of talent that could contribute to national development, innovation, and economic growth. These students have the potential to become Malaysia’s global talent pipeline,” Tan said.
Tan also noted that recognition would allow Malaysia to retain highly skilled students who currently pursue scholarships abroad.
“These students have the capacity to strengthen local universities and industries, yet Malaysia’s inaction allows other countries to benefit instead,” he added.
He concluded that UEC recognition is not merely an education policy issue, but a strategic move to maximise Malaysia’s human capital.
“By providing pathways for UEC graduates domestically, Malaysia can retain talent, boost productivity, and harness the full potential of its multiracial student population,” Tan said. – January 4, 2026