By Hamizza Jasman
GOMBAK, 8 March 2015: The 11th Higher Learning Institutions Carnival for Zone 4 hosted by IIUM since yesterday came to an end today. This big event conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education in collaboration with TV Al-Hijrah and IIUM provided opportunities to all universities in Malaysia to promote their institutions and also to give information about admissions of their respective universities.
The carnival which was officiated by IIUM’s Deputy Rector (Academic and Planning), Prof. Dato Dr. Md. Tahir Azhar, on Saturday, involved around 130 universities, both public and private. As mentioned by him, this programme was the opportunity for the students to seek information to further their studies in the field of their interest.
Representatives of the participating universities briefed the visitors on the courses offered by the universities. Basically, this carnival was targeting students who have just recently obtained their SPM results.
œThis is our opportunity to get information on the universities and courses that suit us since application through UPU is scheduled to open on 6 April, said Nur Athirah Hassan, 18, from SMK Taman Desa 2.
This programme will cover nine zones while IIUM is the fourth zone and it took place at Padang Kawad IIUM, Gombak campus. Before this, the carnivals were held in Kuantan, Penang and Melaka.
œFor the next carnival, we will be in Perak, on 14 and 15 March in Stadium Indera Mulia for  the fifth zone. So, those who are not able to attend this carnival here, they can go to Perak, said Ikmal Hassan, a representative from the Ministry of Higher Education.
“There were around 38,000 visitors who came to the carnival on the first day, including students, parents, and teachers. Hopefully there will be more visitors will come today because this zone is centered for Wilayah Persekutuan and Klang Valley,” he added.
Participating public universities at the Carnival, among others, were International Islamic University Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Teknologi Mara, University of Malaya which are offering courses at both the undergraduate and post-graduate levels.
œOur aim is to offer potential students the courses that are offered by our university. We have our own foundation for SPM candidates whos just got their result, said Ros Emi Binti Mohd@Anan from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu.
As part of the carnival, the National Higher Education Fund or Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) also sent their representatives to the carnival to give information to the visitors on sponsorship. Furthermore, there are universities such UniKL that have their own sponsorship if the candidates prefer not to use the PTPTN.
œWe (UniKL) also have our foundation in science and technology. For excellent Bumiputera students whos got straight As in SPM, they can apply for MARA sponsorship to continue their study abroad such as South Korea, France, Spain, and Russia. For those who intend to continue their studies with UniKL for foundation and diploma programmes, also can apply for MARA sponsorship,” said Mohamad Hafize Bin Md. Badri, Head of Marketing and Admission, Malaysian Institute of Information Technology, UniKL.
Outside the information booths, food and beverages were available on sales where visitors did not have to go far to have their meals. IIUM also provided good facilities especially ample parking space for visitors. There was no traffic jam during the carnival and visitors were given easy access to the Carnival to feel comfortable during the visit.
“There are many visitors as this Carnival shows. Nowadays society members are concerned of education to grant them a good future, or at least they are conscious to know what is best offered to suit their results. This is a good initiative by the Ministry of Education,” said Fatin Amira Min Athaha, who wish to further her studies at post-graduate.
The closing of the Carnival was officiated by the university’s Deputy Rector (Student Affairs), Datuk Dr. Mizan Hitam. In his remarks he expressed the hope that IIUM would be chosen as the university for students to further their study. ***
