KUALA LUMPUR – The Universiti Malaya Students’ Union (KMUM) has welcomed the university’s decision to defer its proposal to increase tuition fees.
However, it wants the feasibility study that was done prior to this move to be made available to students in the interest of the community.
In a statement, the union said it is committed to continue championing the rights of students despite the move not to hike up fees for the upcoming 2021/2022 academic session in light of the students’ welfare during the current pandemic.
“Based on what KMUM knows, before any proposal to increase study fees is submitted to the university’s fees committee, a study would be conducted by a special committee to provide the reason and rationale for the increase to be implemented.
“KMUM is of the opinion that the report should be announced and displayed for the students of Universiti Malaya to view for their benefit,” it said.
It said that it is important for all parties to understand the rationale for such a fee increment for any programme, especially if it is going to be done in the wake of the pandemic.
The students have a right to understand the full details regarding this matter in the spirit of transparency and in order to make them comprehend the issue.
“Besides that, KMUM is confident that UM students are reasonable and will accept an increase in study fees, as we understand that there are various rising costs in addition to inflation borne by the university.”
However a fee hike must not be done for a programme without justification, the union stressed.
“For example, the 128% fee hike for the Bachelor of Accounting degree programme can be said to be excessive to the point that it is more expensive than science programmes,” it said.
The union urged the university’s management to hold back and review any increment in fees.
It added that it has taken note that the management has agreed to a meeting between the union’s representatives and the university’s fees committee on this matter and for the good of the students’ future.
It was reported on October 2 that KMUM found the move to propose fee hikes for several programmes worrying as there will be students who find it difficult to afford the payments.
The university’s move was despite the Higher Education Ministry saying on June 30 that there will be no fee increases for tertiary-level students.
Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad had said the ministry requested that universities not impose activity fees, as most students were not staying on campus amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ministry on July 16 announced that a total of 386,142 public varsity students nationwide will benefit from the government’s RM185.7 million fee reduction scheme aimed at helping those affected by the pandemic.
It had said the reduction of between 10% and 35% was granted following a circular dated March 22 issued by the Higher Education Department to public universities. – The Vibes, October 6, 2021
