Kuala lumpur: The Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has announced a strategic plan to ensure that by 2035, 70 per cent of full-time undergraduate students at public universities and polytechnics across Malaysia will have access to residential college facilities. This initiative is a part of the Residential College Facilities Policy for Public Higher Education Institutions (IPTA), crafted in collaboration with the Malaysian Universities Housing Council and student leaders.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, emphasized the ministry's dedication to providing safe, comfortable, and conducive accommodations for students, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Dr. Zambry highlighted that the initiative is a long-term plan aimed at addressing the accommodation needs of students and reducing the reliance on expensive off-campus housing solutions.
During a session in the Dewan Rakyat, Dr. Zambry responded to inquiries about the government's efforts to mitigate the shortfall of residential colleges, a situation that has compelled many students to seek costly alternatives off-campus. He revealed that during the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) and the initial year of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), MOHE secured nearly RM1.1 billion for upgrading infrastructure at public higher education institutions. Additionally, RM225 million was allocated for refurbishing existing student hostels.
Dr. Zambry also mentioned that 36 residential college projects were undertaken through public-private partnerships (PPP) during this period, with 15 projects already completed, offering accommodation for up to 45,000 students. Looking ahead, the government plans to construct five new residential colleges at public universities during the 13MP period, expected to accommodate an additional 21,000 students.
In response to a supplementary query about the status of new residential college construction and rental assistance for students, Dr. Zambry assured that new projects would significantly increase accommodation capacity. He also highlighted that MOHE has implemented guidelines to prioritize on-campus housing for students from targeted groups, including the B40 group, Orang Asli students, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and those involved in student councils and other organizations.
For students from the B40 and M40 categories living off-campus, universities have introduced initiatives to alleviate financial burdens, such as providing transportation to and from campus. This comprehensive approach underscores MOHE's commitment to enhancing student welfare and ensuring equitable access to education.