10.6 – Measures against discrimination

10.6.3 – Access to university underrepresented groups recruit

Yes, UKM is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce, with a focus on recruiting underrepresented groups such as ethnic minorities and staff with disabilities. In 2023, the university employed 8,792 staff members, including significant representation from Sabah, Sarawak, and Orang Asli communities. For example, 27 Iban non-academic staff, 6 Bajau non-academic staff, and 4 Kadazan academic staff are part of UKM’s workforce, ensuring equal opportunities for ethnic minorities.

In alignment with the Inclusion Policy for Higher Education Institutions, which mandates that 1% of staff must be individuals with disabilities, UKM employed 48 staff members with disabilities, making up 0.55% of the workforce. While below the 1% target, UKM is committed to increasing this representation. The university’s focus on diversity ensures that all staff, regardless of background or disability, are treated equally and have opportunities to thrive.

a) Ethnic Minority Groups

UKM currently employs a total of 8,792 staff, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. Ethnic minorities from Sabah, Sarawak, and Orang Asli from Peninsular Malaysia are well-represented among both non-academic and academic staff. For instance, there are 27 Iban non-academic staff, 6 Bajau non-academic staff, and 4 Kadazan academic staff. Additionally, UKM employs 5 Orang Asli non-academic staff.

This diversity reflects UKM’s continuous effort to ensure that ethnic minorities are not left behind and are given equal opportunities. Regardless of their background, all employees are treated equally, with access to the same resources and opportunities for growth. UKM values the contributions of ethnic minorities, whether from Peninsular Malaysia or East Malaysia, reinforcing the university’s focus on creating a fair, diverse, and inclusive working environment for all staff members.

Table: Ethnic Group Distribution Among UKM Non-Academic and Academic Staff (2023)

Ethnic Group	Non-Academic Staff	Academic Staff
Asli	5	1
Bajau	16	5
Bidayuh	6	1
Brunei	1	0
Bisaya	0	1
Bugis	6	2
Bumiputera Sabah	4	4
Dusun	11	2
Iban	27	2
Kadazan	6	4
Kelabit	1	0
Melanau	2	2
Murut	3	0
Selakau	1	0
Serani	1	1
Sikh	5	6
Sulu	1	0
Sungai	2	1
Thai	3	0
Others	5	0
Total	106	32
Grand Total	138

b) Staff with Disabilities

In alignment with the Inclusion Policy for Higher Education Institutions, which mandates that 1% of the total staff must comprise individuals with disabilities, UKM is dedicated to fostering inclusivity within its workforce. This policy underscores the university’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all, including staff members with disabilities.

In 2023, UKM employed a total of 8,792 staff, out of which 48 were individuals with disabilities. This represents 0.55% of the total workforce, which falls slightly below the 1% target outlined by the policy. Of these 48 staff members, 41 are non-academic staff, while 7 are academic staff. Although the percentage is below the set goal, UKM continues to work toward increasing the representation of staff with disabilities, reflecting its ongoing commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

UKM remains focused on improving these figures to meet the policy requirements and ensure that individuals with disabilities are not only included but have meaningful roles within the university.

Inclusion Policy for Higher Education Institutions Link:
https://www.ukm.my/kelestarian/data/sdg10/Garis-Panduan-DIP-Final-For-Printing.pdf

Proportion of Employees with Disabilities in Year 2023 

Category	Total Number of Employees
Visual	12
Hearing	6
Physical	31
Learning disabilities	1
Mental	1
Speech	0
Others	0
Total	51