{
  "id": 12172257,
  "title": "Varsities not only path to success, says higher education minister",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/varsities-not-only-path-to-success-says-higher-education-minister-12172257",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-05T13:38:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/05/varsities-not-only-path-to-success-says-higher-education-minister"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Higher education minister Zambry Abd Kadir has urged the public to reconsider the belief that universities are the exclusive path to success and personal development. In an interview, Zambry highlighted the value of skills training institutions, stating that technical and engineering fields require workers with specialized training, not just those who have earned degrees from universities. He emphasized that knowledge and skills in technical fields offer promising career opportunities for young people, regardless of their academic background. Over the past two years, Zambry has repeatedly emphasized that universities are not the sole destination for education. He noted that applications to enter polytechnics have surged by 132%, compared to the previous range of 60% to 70%. Zambry clarified that technical and engineering fields rely not only on degree qualifications but also on skilled workers who have undergone relevant training at institutions providing diverse skill-based education and training.",
  "summary": "Zambry Abd Kadir says technical knowledge and skills offer young people, including those less academically inclined, other career opportunities.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Varsities not only path to success, says higher education minister",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/varsities-not-only-path-to-success-says-higher-education-minister",
        "published": "2026-10-05T13:38:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}