Universities Face Urgent Student Accommodation Issues Says Minister

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Higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir speaking to students at the Sultan Azlan Shah campus of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris in Tanjung Malim, Perak, today. (Bernama pic)PETALING JAYA: Several universities need to urgently address student accommodation issues, says higher education minister Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Bernama reported Zambry as saying he had been informed by his ministry’s highest management of the matter, but did not disclose the number or the universities involved.
He said his ministry will engage in discussions with all of the nation’s higher education institutions to identify those in urgent need.
Zambry told this to reporters after visiting the Ungku Omar Residential College at the Sultan Azlan Shah campus of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (Upsi) in Tanjung Malim, Perak today.
He said he went to the university to hear the students’ complaints and issues with its accommodation facilities.
Zambry said the Upsi campus’ current accommodation capacity is only 40%, but it plans to increase it to 70%.
“At present, about 7,000 students reside on campus, and our expectation is that the capacity can increase to 14,000 by October next year.
“However, I have also raised concerns about the students’ comfort,” he said.
Zambry also said the spread of Covid-19 in higher education institutions is under control, and that his ministry will continue to seek guidance and instructions from the health ministry.
The number of Covid-19 cases in the country was reported to have increased to 12,757 cases from Dec 3 to Dec 9, compared to 6,796 cases reported in the previous week. - FMT

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