1.3 – University anti-poverty programmes

1.3.2 – Bottom financial quintile student success

Yes, in Malaysia, low-income households are categorised under the B40 group, representing the bottom 40% of income earners. UKM remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving a minimum of at least 90% graduation rate across all degree levels, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs. In 2023, we proudly celebrated 7,255 graduates, demonstrating our unwavering focus on academic excellence. While our goal for the year was 7,969 graduates, 713 students encountered challenges such as withdrawals or examination difficulties, with 399 from the B40 category.

UKM achieved an impressive 90.63% of graduates amongst its B40 students. Moving forward, we are intensifying efforts to reduce student attrition through enhanced financial and academic support, ensuring all students, including PhD candidates, have the resources and environment needed to succeed academically. UKM is committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and empowering learning experience for all.

Table: Graduation Data for Total and B40 Students (2023)

Category	Total Number of Graduates	B40 Graduates
Actual Graduates	7255	3869
Expected Graduates	7969	4269
Percentage of Graduates	91.04%	90.63%

Table: Discontinued Students by Program and B40 Status (2023)

Category	Total Number of Students	B40 Students
Bachelors	120	67
Masters	364	193
PhD	229	122
Total	713	399