Community colleges to be upgraded, to offer diplomas - Idris Jusoh

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh said, according to the changing and current needs, several community colleges will begin taking students with the current certificate status.

He said with this upgrading of community colleges, students would be eligible to apply for a degree at any university in accordance with their field of study, in the future.

"No one expected that community colleges which from the beginning only offered certificates can now offer degrees in the next few years," he told reporters after opening the 3D Animation Centre at Besut Community College (KKB) which was upgraded in Jertih here today.

According to him, the government is now trying to make it easier for young people to study and obtain a degree in various ways, including encouraging community colleges to collaborate with polytechnics and universities.

About KKB, Idris said the collaboration between the community college and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has taken place and will take several secondary schools in Besut to serve as adopted schools.

He said that such methods will not only facilitate KKB students enrolling at the undergraduate level but also attract a lot of SPM school leavers to enter KKB.