KUALA LUMPUR – Thousands of Universiti Malaya (UM) students have apparently failed to secure campus accommodations, in what is believed to be the education institution’s worst ever hostel shortage.
The University of Malaya Association of New Youth (Umany) said a high number of students from B40 households with high merit points were similarly overlooked, triggering dissatisfaction among various quarters.
The failed applications for hostel accommodation of close to 9,000 students require immediate attention, and the university must respond to the matter, Umany said in a statement.
“We condemn the irresponsible behaviour of the university for choosing to remain quiet on a serious issue like this,” it said.
According to Umany, one of the main reasons that led to the severe accommodation shortage is an extremely high student intake – supposedly a means to collect more funds following budget cuts by the federal government.
“Today, for every one room, there are four applicants, while the figure is two to one when it comes to B40 students.
“This clearly shows UM only cares about its own benefit and ignores the interest and welfare of the students.”
Another reason for the accommodation shortage, Umany said, is a selection system that lacked transparency, handled by the university’s Students Affairs Division (HEP).
It said multiple attempts to urge the division to disclose the conditions for selection have fallen on deaf ears.
The lack of power given to students to handle the accommodation themselves has also contributed to the thousands currently without placement, Umany added.
“Although the UM Students’ Union (KMUM) has tried many times to acquire power to manage accommodation, HEP continues to reject the proposal.
“More recently, HEP suddenly withdrew the KMUM Housing Rental (RSKMUM) programme that has been managed by the union for three years. They also did not accept any new applications for the programme.”
In this regard, Umany has made 10 demands to the university’s management to immediately resolve the issue and improve student welfare.
Among other things, the group wants the Finance Ministry to allocate supplemental funds for the construction of more students’ accommodation to ensure at least 70% of students are given affordable hostels.
It also demanded targeted aid to be given to B40 students who fail to get housing placements, for the RSKMUM programme to be reinstated, and for all in-campus facilities to be improved. – The Vibes, September 3, 2022
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