Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Musa Ahmad (second right) exchanging documents with Sariyan after the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in Nilai. — Bernama photo
NILAI: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) will introduce Malay Language Qualificatin Test (UKBM) to foreign students studying at public and private universities in the country.
Its director-general Datuk Dr Awang Sariyan said DBP was preparing a proposal paper on this matter, through the Education Ministry to be presented to the Cabinet for policy approval.
“This means that all foreign students must sit for UKBM. Though in the early stage of its implementation, the students may not be required to pass but at least when it is made compulsory for them to sit the test, we can evaluate their ability.
“The test is important to evaluate the level of Malay language proficiency among the foreign students. We have already started to prepare the module and syllabus according to stages (beginning, intermediate and advanced),” he said after a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony with Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), here yesterday.
He said the move to introduce UKBM was a good development in order to boost Bahasa Melayu as an international language.
Awang said DBP has conducted the UKBM pilot project in Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) to see its suitability.
“We intend to start this UKBM as soon as possible but must wait for the government’s decision. As a preliminary level preparation, we have signed an agreement with the Malaysian Examinations Council (MPM) which would be a competent authority to conduct the tests, while DBP will provide its content,” he said. — Bernama