Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is dedicated to addressing inequality by focusing on first-generation students, international students from developing countries, as well as students and staff with disabilities. This commitment extends to implementing anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, along with effective administration and monitoring.
Measures against discrimination
UKM have an admissions policy in which outlines the student admission requirements based on the UKM Undergraduate Program Admission Requirements Book for the 2022/2023 Academic Session. Referring to page 146 in this book, it is clearly stated that there is no discrimination made against the selection of new UKM students where there is a list of courses that are still suitable for them to apply.
Applications & admissions of underrepresented
Track applications and admissions of underrepresented (and potentially underrepresented) groups. UKM cares and gives opportunities to students from low-income groups to secure opportunities at the higher education level by offering incentives and scholarships to further their studies. In addition, UKM provides educational opportunities regardless of race or ethnicity. In 2022, 6.5% of students come from the states of Sabah and Sarawak which represent the ethnic diversity in Malaysia. Furthermore, there are 66 disabled UKM students in which 48.5% are those with physical disabilities, 25.8% of those who are visually impaired, followed by 18.2 % are those with hearing impairments.
Ethnic Diversity
UKM provides educational as well as employment opportunities regardless of race or ethnicity. As a country rich with various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, 6.5% of the UKM students come from East Malaysia whereas 3.2% of the current UKM employees originated from the states of Sabah and Sarawak which represent the ethnic diversity in Malaysia.
Anti-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policies
UKM has both anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies in which the policy describes the anti-harassment measures at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for the university to be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on both national and international levels.
UKM always ensures that everything that is done and planned is in accordance with the policy of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Article 8 (1) in the Federal Constitution of Malaysia provides that all persons are equal before the law and entitled to its equal protection.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Main Committee
The establishment of the UKM Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Main Committee is to further strengthen the aspects of equality, diversity and inclusiveness from the point of view of policy formulation, planning and program implementation by the year 2030 with the intention of UKM becoming a Sustainable university. Among the responsibilities of this committee is to hold committee meetings at least two (2) times a year, prepare drafts and review university policies, as well as plan the implementation of programs related to equality, diversity and inclusiveness.
| NAME | COMMITTEE | |
|---|---|---|
 | Prof. Dato' Dr. Roslee Rajikan Pro-Vice Chancellor (Strategy and Nationalism) Director of UKM Strategy Centre | Chairman |
 | Mr. Haji Zanudin Mohd Daud Senior Deputy Registrar Human Resource Division Department of Registrar | Deputy Chairman |
 | Mrs. Roslina Rosli Head of Administration UKM Strategy Centre | Secretary |
 | Mrs. Norashikin Ibrahim Head of Senior Assistant Registrar Human Resource Division Department of Registrar | Assistant Secretary |
 | Prof. Dr. Salawati Mat Basir Legal Adviser Office of the Legal Advisor | Committee Member |
 | Prof. ChM. Dr. Goh Choo Ta Director Institute For Environment And Development (LESTARI) | Committee Member |
 | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jady@ Zaidi Hassim Dean Faculty of Law | Committee Member |
 | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammad Rahim Kamaluddin Head Integrity & Ombudsman Unit | Committee Member |
 | Assoc. Prof Sr Ts. Gs. Dr. Khairul Nizam Abdul Maulud Executive Deputy Director (Sustainability) UKM Strategy Centre | Committee Member |
 | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tanot Anak Unjah Deputy Director International Relations Centre (UKM-Global) | Committee Member |
 | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ramalinggam Rajamanickam Associate Professor Malaysian and Comparative Law Centre Faculty of Law | Committee Member |
 | Dr. Aizan Sofia Amin Senior Lecturer Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being (PsiTra) Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities | Committee Member |
 | Mr. Basir Bahir Deputy Director Centre for Academic Management (Akademik UKM) | Committee Member |
 | Miss Najatulmuna Hamdan Head Benefits and Administrative Division Department of Registrar | Committee Member |
 | Mrs. Siti Nora Mhd Isa Senior Assistant Registrar UKM Strategy Centre | Secretariat |
 | Mrs. Najihah Mohamad Yunus Assistant Registrar (Personal MySTEP) UKM Strategy Centre | Secretariat |
 | Mr. Barudin Baharin Assistant Administrative Officer UKM Strategy Centre | Secretariat |
 | Mr. Mohd Nor Adzhar Adnan Administrative Assistant UKM Strategy Centre | Secretariat |
 | Ms. Nur Hannan Lokman Administrative Assistant UKM Strategy Centre | Secretariat |
UKM helps students without documents to continue studying
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) continues to be committed to helping students, especially those who are less fortunate. Two students from Jalinan Kasih Guidance School (SBJK) through the Watan Child Footsteps Program have been accepted to UKM for the 2023/2024 academic session.
SBJK is a special model school introduced under the Compulsory Education Policy that focuses on the criteria of undocumented children, non-citizens and vulnerable groups who are around Chow Kit or Kuala Lumpur to be educated. Both of these students are students of the Zero Undocumented Student Program (Zamrud Program) where this program aims to help students to apply for citizenship.
Disability Inclusion
There are 66 disabled UKM students in which 48.5% are those with physical disabilities, 25.8% of those who are visually impaired, followed by 18.2 % are those with hearing impairments.
According to the implementation of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) Inclusion Policy in Higher Education Institutions, UKM always provides employment opportunities for those with disabilities who are interested in working for UKM. Currently, 0.5% of UKM’s total staff are from the disabled group.
Counseling Support Programmes
Under UKM’s Centre for Student Affairs (HEP-UKM), there is a counseling unit in which few of their key responsibilities include carrying out a healthy mind screening for all new UKM students, providing guidance and counseling services, and implementing crisis intervention for critical cases involving mental health.
Accessible Facilities For The Disabled
Various facilities for disabled people are provided in the campus area such as toilets, ramps, switches, furniture, parking as well as transportation.
Mobile Van Service
UKM has provided a mobile van service for disabled users and is managed by UPS-OKU. This mobile van was provided to the staff and students with disabilities to access from one place to another place in UKM’s campus and Klang Valley. This van has seven (7) seaters including a driver and wheelchair lift which is easier for wheelchair users. The maintenance of this van was fully conducted by UKM’s Vehicle Unit under the Registrar Department.
This van provides a wheelchair lift for wheelchair users.
The user will be going up by themselves by pushing a button provided.
A UKM staff is assisting a fellow staff with disability
Accessible Toilet
Apart from transportation, UKM has also provided accessible toilets for disabled users. Currently, UKM has 64 accessible toilets for disabled users. These accessible toilets were provided by following the Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment (MS1184:2014) requirement.
The toilet has features as listed below:
- Outward opening/sliding door type.
- 1 movable grab bar and 1 fixed to the adjacent wall.
- Entrance clears from the obstacle.
- Lever types for all water tabs and flush handles.
- Mirror above the washbasin.
- Color contrast.
- Non-slippery flooring.
Disabled Parking
UKM also provided 69 unit disabled parking to park their vehicles which are located as near as possible to the main entrance. The designated disabled parking has followed the requirement of the Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment (MS 1184:2014). Each parking will clearly be attached with the signboard to enable users easier to locate the parking.
Access features for parking areas as below:
On-Campus Accommodation
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) provides a residential college for students including students with disabilities. UKM has 12 residential colleges which are ten in Bangi Campus and two in the Kuala Lumpur Campus. Two residential colleges with accommodations suitable for students with disabilities are Ungku Omar College (KUO) and Dato’ Onn College (KDO). KDO has 1 room for male students and 1 room for female students while KUO has 3 rooms for male students and 3 rooms for female students.
www.ukm.my/kuo
www.ukm.my/kdo
Two of the 12 UKM residential colleges, Ungku Omar College (KUO) and Dato’ Onn College (KDO) are equipped with facilities suitable for people with disabilities. KDO has a room for male students and a room for female students, while KUO has 3 rooms for male students and 3 rooms for female students.
Ramp
Both residential colleges followed the accommodation requirement for a disabled person as follows:The ramp has been provided especially for wheelchair users and is located near the main entrance and the gradient has followed the Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment (MS 1184:2014) requirement. Besides, the entire access to the main entrance also provided a ramp.
Accessible toilet
Both residential colleges have provided the toilet, according to the Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment (MS 1184:2014) requirement. The sliding door type has been built to ease students who have been using a wheelchair. 1 grab bar and 1 fixed to the adjacent wall also has been provided. All the equipment has used lever-type handles and the position of the mirror is suitable for a wheelchair user.
Furniture
The entire furniture has been provided and accessible for any type of person with disabilities. The students find it easier to use the facilities without any help from others..
Switches
The position of the switches followed the requirement of the Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment (MS 1184:2014) which is 120-130 cm above the floor for both residential colleges. This requirement is suitable for wheelchair users and dwarf people.
Both residential colleges also provided disabled parking which is located as near as possible to the main entrance. The designated disabled parking has followed the requirement of the Universal Design and Accessibility in the Built Environment (MS 1184:2014). Each parking will clearly be attached to the signboard to enable users easier to locate the parking.
Library Services for People with Disabilities
UKM also provides access in the library, Tun Seri Lanang Library for disabled people, such as:
- Disabled toilets on level 4 for convenience and freedom of mobility.
- The disabled prayer room on level 3 ensures comfort during worship.
- Carrel Room is specially designed to meet the needs of our customers.
- The disabled room is equipped with equipment that facilitates movement.
- Discussion rooms, quiet spaces, and more to connect and exchange knowledge.
Reasonable accommodation policy or strategy for people with disabilities, including adequate funding
UKM provides accommodations for students including students with disabilities. UKM has 12 residential colleges which are ten in Bangi Campus and two in the Kuala Lumpur Campus. Two residential colleges with accommodations suitable for students with disabilities are Ungku Omar College (KUO) and Dato’ Onn College (KDO). KDO has 1 room for male students and 1 room for female students while KUO has 3 rooms for male students and 3 rooms for female students.
Support Services for People With Disabilities
The Disability Support and Services Unit (UPS-OKU UKM) was established on 12th December 2019 under the Registrar’s Office, fully supervised by the Vice-Chancellor.
This unit was operated by referring to the Guidelines for Implementation of Disability Inclusive Policy in Higher Education Institutions (Garis Panduan Pelaksanaan Dasar Inklusif Orang Kurang Upaya di Institut Pendidikan Tinggi by Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Strategic Planning for Disability Inclusive Policy 2019-2023 and UKM’s Strategic Planning (TERAS) 2021-2025.
Strategic Planning for Disability Inclusive Policy
The purpose of establishing this unit is to give support to the disabled staff and students according to their disability and empower them to succeed in their careers and education in UKM. Currently, the number of staff and students who have registered under this unit is 48 staff and 59 students.
Official website: www.ukm.my/pendaftar/pengenalan-ups-oku
Access Schemes For People With Disabilities
The UPS-OKU UKM always provides support and assistance services to disabled staff so that the staff’s competence is on par with the able-bodied staff. Various activities and mentoring programs are held to provide encouragement and advice to this group.
List of Programs by the UPS-OKU, Registrar’s Department, UKM
Accommodation Policy/Strategy
UKM through the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) received an amount of RM 600,000.00 from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to upgrade infrastructure for disability users. There are four projects that have been determined based on the allocation given. Currently, the progress of the project focuses on upgrading and renovating an administrative office, disabled one-stop center, an accessible toilet and ramp in Chancellery Building and Kuala Lumpur Campus also accommodation for people with disability.
UKM through the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) received an amount of RM 600,000.00 from the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to upgrade infrastructure for disability users. There are four projects that have been determined based on the allocation given. Currently, the progress of the project focuses on upgrading and renovating an administrative office, disabled one-stop center, an accessible toilet and ramp in Chancellery Building and Kuala Lumpur Campus also accommodation for people with disability.
Ongoing projects involving upgrading and renovating campus facilities
Maternity care facilities
UKM concerns about the importances on UKM community needs, especially women and pregnant women. In both clinics, UKM provides maternity checkups and lactation rooms for needed parties.
(www.ukmpoliklinik.my)
Tadika TUNAS UKM
Tadika Tunas UKM has been in operation since 1980, in which the Nursing Department is handled under Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK) and the Pre-School Department is under Faculty of Education (FPEND). The kindergarten was registered under the government act, Akta Pelajaran 1961 – Kaedah Pelajaran Tadika dan Sekolah Asuhan on 13 December 2018. Programme available in Tadika Tunas UKM are the early childhood education for kids aged four, five and six years old. This programme is based on National Preschool Standards-Based Curriculum (KSPK) and is in compliance with the guidelines from the Ministry of Education of Malaysia (KPM).
UKM Celebrates Disabled Graduates during 51st Convocation
The 51st Convocation of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia has provided various unique attractions and privileges to the graduates. Not to be left behind, this historic ceremony was also graced with the success of graduates with disabilities (OKU) who gave inspiration to Watan University students that disability is not a ticket to failure.
UKM Always Strives to Strengthen the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (OKU) with the Aspiration of Making the University an Inclusive Campus. In Lembayung UKM’s core has recommended that all UKM citizens should have a national identity and be enthusiastic in developing a society and country towards a caring campus that is disabled friendly.
The involvement of the Cakna OKU Club to continue helping those in need on campus can give exposure to students about our welfare and concern for them. Thank you UKM Disabled Service & Support Unit & Cakna Oku Club for their close cooperation.
