UM student residence project to house 10,000 students by 2030
KUALA LUMPUR: Universiti Malaya’s (UM) first phase of its student residence project is scheduled for completion in 2030, providing accommodation for 10,000 students amid concerns over university housing shortages.
Universiti Malaya, Malaysia's oldest and most prestigious university, has embarked on a monumental student residence project that will see the completion of its first phase by 2030, accommodating 10,000 students. This ambitious endeavor aims to address the persistent issue of inadequate university housing. The project, set to unfold on a sprawling 4.17-hectare site at the university's Fifth Residential College, is poised to become a pivotal solution to the housing crisis faced by students across the nation.
Professor Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman, UM's Vice-Chancellor, heralded the project as a monumental stride towards fulfilling students' housing needs. Beyond the mere provision of accommodation, the project is envisioned as a vibrant community hub, fostering friendships, leadership skills, and ambition among its residents. The grand launch of the UM Student Residence Project was attended by high-ranking officials including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Higher Education Minister Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.
Notably, Noor Azuan expressed concern over potential delays in the project's implementation, warning that students might graduate before the first block is built if the project is delayed. He emphasized the urgency of expediting the project, cautioning against overthinking the process, which could jeopardize the timely graduation of students.
The first phase of the project, encompassing the 4.17-hectare site, is slated for completion in 2030, with the second phase planned to expand the accommodation capacity to 30,000 students.
The development of the project has been a lengthy process, spanning nearly three years of meticulous planning, consultations, and discussions at the government level. UM took significant strides towards securing the project's approval when University Vice-Chancellor Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman presented the proposal to various agencies during the tabling of the 2026 Budget on October 10, 2023.
Subsequently, a special national strategic project monitoring meeting chaired by Anwar Ibrahim on December 15, 2023, set the project's development model, financing arrangements, and implementation terms.
UM's collaboration with key ministries such as the Higher Education Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Economy Ministry, along with the Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS) and several companies, underscores the comprehensive approach taken to advance this monumental project. Noor Azuan reiterated UM's commitment to adhering to regulatory guidelines, avoiding shortcuts, and ensuring the project's transparent implementation, safeguarding safety and maintaining reasonable accommodation rates.
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