PETALING JAYA: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) approved RM19.4 million in student loans for private university students from 2015 until 2023.
In a written parliamentary reply, higher education minister Khaled Nordin said the loans had been given to 643,258 private university students.
“Of that number, 268,391 loans were for students at universities, 139,757 loans for students in university colleges, and 235,110 loans for college students,” he said.
Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (PN-Permatang Pauh) had asked about the amount of the PTPTN debts owed by students at private universities and the breakdown of loans given from 2015 to 2023.
Rise in employability rate
Khaled also said graduates’ employability rates saw an increase of 4.7% in 2022 to 90.2%, compared to 85.5% in 2021.
The employability rates of students from public higher education institutions had increased to 92.8% last year from 88.2% the year before.
Meanwhile, students from polytechnics and community colleges had rates of 96.2% and 96.8%, respectively, in 2022, compared to 93.7% and 94.8% the year before.
“The employability rates of graduates from private higher education institutions was 85.5% in 2022, compared to 80.3% in 2021,” he said in reply to Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN-Kuantan).