KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 — Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud has refuted the claims that Universiti Malaya (UM) was undermining student autonomy by requiring the Student Affairs Department's approval for activities and appointing advisers to student bodies.
He said all public universities, including UM, appoint advisers only as mentors and facilitators to support student initiatives, not to interfere with autonomy.
“The Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) assures that approvals for student programmes rest with the Student Representative Council (SRC), and in the case of UM, the Kesatuan Mahasiswa,” Mustapha told the Dewan Rakyat during question-and-answer time today.
He was responding to Raub MP Chow Yu Hui's query, who raised concerns over alleged Student Affairs Department interference in student activities.
Mustapha noted that Phase One of the Student Empowerment Agenda commenced in March, encompassing three key initiatives: the full election of the SRC by students, student administrative autonomy, and the strengthening of political literacy on and off campus.
With the Universities and University Colleges (Amendment) Act 2024 taking effect on October 1, the MOHE is entering Phase Two, granting students greater autonomy over finance, welfare, and income generation.
This includes allowing student bodies to open bank accounts, receive external funding, manage their finances, allocate welfare funds through the SRC or student union, and generate revenue independently.
