Kota Kinabalu: A memorandum by the Student Representative Council of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) secured an immediate RM1.5 million allocation from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOE), underscoring the growing impact of student leadership in driving institutional improvements.
The Council’s President, Allen Paul Justinus Situ, said the memorandum was submitted to Higher Education Minister Zambry Abd Kadir on Sunday during the Minister’s working visit to the Dapur Siswa Madani UMS.
He said the document outlines three key clusters forming the core of students’ demands.
Cluster A focuses on bridging infrastructure and digital gaps between UMS and public universities in Peninsular Malaysia.
Cluster B highlights the urgent need to modernise practical learning facilities to enhance graduate competitiveness, while Cluster C addresses long-term stability of essential supplies and campus infrastructure resilience.
According to Allen, the Minister approved an immediate RM1.5 million allocation under Cluster B, specifically targeting laboratory modelling and graduate employability.
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“The fund aims to address limited access to laboratory equipment and improve information technology (IT) infrastructure across the UMS campus,” he said, Wednesday.
He added that the initiative is expected to directly improve the quality of student learning and strengthen the competitiveness of UMS graduates in an increasingly demanding job market.
Commenting on the outcome, Allen expressed appreciation to the Ministry for responding to students’ concerns.
“We would like to extend our highest appreciation and gratitude to the Minister of Higher Education for listening to our voice. This allocation is welcome news for the entire UMS community and proves the effectiveness and importance of the Student Council’s role within the university’s education ecosystem,” he said.
The Council serves as the official body representing student voices, acting as a bridge between students and university management while advocating for student welfare and holistic development on campus.
Its leadership is elected democratically through campus elections, in line with the provisions of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971.
