Five more students’ unions to be set up

STUDENTS’ unions are set up to give a voice to students and ensure their rights are not compromised.

It also brings students together to connect and learn.

The Education Ministry hopes five additional public universities can set up their respective students’ unions by next year.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said students’ voices should not be restricted as they have the power to contribute to the nation’s development.

“Malaysia needs competent leaders who will not only build the physical future of the country, but also its people,” he said.

Noting that students are agents of change in society, he said they will be educated and trained as social actors, equipped with a strong sense of inclusivity in dealing with issues inside and outside the campus.

“Society, universities and students have a symbiotic interdependence with each other for the development of the nation,” he said after officiating the newly formed student union of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) at its campus in Gombak recently.

IIUM’s student union officially registered with the Registrar of Societies Malaysia on Sept 5.

The union will sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the university for strategic shared governance between both parties.

He noted that the ministry has identified five public institutions to set up their respective students’ unions.

Maszlee said IIUM is paving a historical step forward towards building future leaders.

“As this union is the first of its kind, the Government is willing to pledge our support to IIUM for piloting this endeavour by donating RM100,000 (one off ) to the IIUM students’ union with no strings attached, to mobilise its initiation,” he said.

He reminded the students’ union representatives not to take their power and roles lightly.

He added that they should actively help fellow students voice out and solve problems.

“Students’ unions should facilitate the university community, especially students to continue learning and adapting to changes.

“They must learn how to solve their problems independently through creative approaches,” said Maszlee.

He hopes all public and private universities will set up their respective students’ unions in time to come.

IIUM student union president Ahmad Irham Dollah, an engineering student, said the union will soon replace the Students’ Represenative Council (SRC).

“The difference between a student union and council is that a student union runs independently while the SRC is still bound by its respective institution’s autonomy,” he said.

“Now we have a place to help students and voice out what they want.

“We aim to train students to be independent,” he added.

The first IIUM student union election will be held in February 2020.