UMPSA creates history with record intake of 1,047 new students

PAYA BESAR, 19 July 2026 - A total of 1,047 new diploma students began registering at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) today for the 2026/2027 academic session, marking the largest intake of new students in the university's history.

Of the total, 541 students will study at UMPSA Paya Besar and the remaining 506 at the Pekan campus.

Registration took place simultaneously at several locations, Dataran Pusat Aktiviti Pelajar (PAP) or now known as the Kompleks Aspirasi Siswa - Student Aspirations Complex  (KAS), for students at UMPSA Pekan, and Residential Colleges 3 and 4 for those at UMPSA Paya Besar.

The process, which began as early as 8:30 am, ran smoothly. Each registration took only two minutes and received positive feedback from students and parents.

UMPSA Vice-Chancellor Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah Alias also took time to meet new students during registration and speak with the families who accompanied them.

She welcomed and congratulated the students who had chosen UMPSA for the 2026/2027 academic session.

"I hope the students selected to pursue their education at UMPSA will embrace their responsibilities with dedication, enthusiasm and commitment.

"Today is a historic occasion, as UMPSA welcomes a substantial number of new students and records an enrolment turnout of 111 per cent.

"I warmly welcome every student registering today," she said. 

She added that the parents she met were delighted that their children had earned the opportunity to study at UMPSA.

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation to the parents who accompanied their children to the UMPSA campus," she said.

During the event, she also presented the B40 Scholarship, financial aid for students from lower-income B40 households pursuing diploma studies in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The sponsorship covers tuition fees and provides a monthly living allowance.

She also presented RM1,000 in Early Education Incentive Assistance, contributed by the UMPSA Foundation, to students in need.

Professor Ts. Dr. Yatimah gave an assurance that supporting students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds would remain a university priority.

"UMPSA is fully committed to ensuring that every student, particularly those facing financial hardship, has equal access to high-quality education here.

"The university will continue to provide financial assistance, academic support and a range of initiatives to ensure that students can pursue their ambitions without barriers," she said.

One recipient, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering student Farah Qaisara Amril from the Faculty of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology (FTKMA), said she had not expected to receive the scholarship. She attended registration with her mother, Zulia Mohidin, from Sabak Bernam.

"I am grateful to have earned a place at UMPSA. I aspire to build a successful future and support my family.

"This assistance eases my family's financial burden," she said.

Another recipient was Muhammad Aqib Hakim Mohd Aliazhar, a Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health student at the Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FSTI). He is the eldest child of Noriedayu Missdi and Mohd Aliazhar Zainal Abidin.

Despite living with bone cancer, Muhammad Aqib remains determined to pursue his ambitions.
He is among 20 recipients of the Ministry of Higher Education's B40 TVET Bursary Assistance, which covers full tuition fees and provides a living allowance throughout their studies at UMPSA.

UMPSA also welcomed four students with disabilities to its diploma programmes for the 2026/2027 academic session.

They include Ahmad Muhammad 'Ainuddin, 18, from Selangor, and Nur Ariffah Sabella Muhammad Arif Makandal, 18, from the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, who have enrolled in the Diploma in Computer Science programme at UMPSA Pekan's Faculty of Computing (FK).

Also enrolling are Muhamad Muadz Firdaus Muhamad Raifuedin, 18, from Terengganu, and Muhammad Amin Al Hadi Hanafi, 17, from Kedah. Both will pursue the Diploma in Industrial Science programme at the Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology (FSTI), UMPSA Paya Besar.

Also present to welcome the students were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International Affairs) Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Yusoh, Senior Manager of the Department of Student Affairs and Alumni (JHEPA) Hajah Haryani Abdullah, and General Manager of the Department of Academic and International Affairs (JHEAA) Abd. Rahman Haji Safie.

By: Siti Nur Azwin Zulkapri, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre