Poor Bumiputeras mustn’t be left behind at UiTM, says sultan

The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, has called on UiTM alumni to contribute towards a fund that will help future students, particularly those from low-income families and rural areas. Addressing UiTM alumni in a royal address, the sultan emphasized that UiTM must remain a gateway to social mobility for young Malays and Bumiputeras from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Sultan Sharafuddin stressed that as the university has expanded and grown, it is crucial that the target group for whom the institution was originally established is not left behind in terms of higher education opportunities. He highlighted that children of farmers, fishermen, drivers, factory workers, and poor rural families should be assured that if they possess the ability and determination to pursue knowledge, UiTM will provide the pathway to transform their future.

The sultan underscored that UiTM has become one of the largest higher learning institutions in the country, graduating over 40,000 students annually, and boasting an alumni network exceeding one million people. He proposed a system where each UiTM alumnus contributes at least RM10 per month, or RM100 per year, to the university. The sultan firmly believed that such a monthly contribution would not be burdensome for any alumnus and would serve as a sacrifice to ensure the continuity and progress of UiTM.

The proposed fund, which could potentially generate up to RM100 million annually, would be utilized for UiTM's development and to assist both new and existing students who are encountering financial difficulties.