The number shows the enthusiasm of our young in pursuing higher education.

It would be ideal if every student who meets the minimum entry requirement can be admitted to a local university. This is particularly so for A-level students who chose to study for another two years after their O levels only to find that they now have to compete with polytechnic graduates for admission to a varsity.

I am not against diploma holders pursuing a degree. Indeed, if they are capable, they should further their studies later and get a postgraduate degree.

But based on reports last year, 32 per cent of university applicants were polytechnic diploma holders.

This being so, I feel that universities should spell out clearly their criteria for admission.

If the criteria are aimed only at picking the best from each group, that is, A-level graduates and polytechnic diploma holders, this should be made known to O-level graduates early so that students in school can make informed decisions about whether to pursue a diploma first or to continue with their A levels.

If resources permit, our polytechnics can work with foreign universities to confer degrees on their deserving graduates.

In this way, we can free up more places for A-level graduates in our local universities without some having to resort to going overseas to pursue their degrees.

Patrick Sio