1.3 – University anti-poverty programmes

1.3.2 – Graduation/Completion Targets for Students Who Fall into the Bottom 20% of Household Income group

In Malaysia, low-income households are classified as the B40 group, representing the bottom 40% of income earners. The classification is determined by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) under the Prime Minister’s Department (JPM), based on data provided by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). UKM remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving a minimum of at least 90% graduation rate including B40 students across all degree levels, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs. In 2024, we proudly celebrated 7,598 graduates, demonstrating our unwavering focus on academic excellence. While our goal for the year was 8,102 graduates, 504 students encountered challenges such as withdrawals or examination difficulties, with 265 from the B40 category. 

UKM achieved an impressive 93.65% 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 (2024)

Category	Total Number of Graduates	B40 Graduates
Actual Graduates	7,598	3,906
Expected Graduates	8,102	4,171
Percentage of Graduates	93.78%	93.65%

Title: Discontinued Students by Program and B40 Status (2024)

Category	Total Number of Students	B40 Students
Bachelors	384	218
Masters	551	276
PhD	512	239
Total	1,447	733
Percentage of Discontinued Students	6.98%	3.53%