TANJUNG MALIM – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today approved an allocation of RM25 million for the construction of 18 additional blocks of student accommodation for those studying at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) here.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, announced this during the “Temu Anwar” (Meet Anwar) session with about 5,000 UPSI students at Dewan Tuanku Canselor after launching the 2023 National Book Award at the educational institution.
“The existing accommodation can only take in 7,804 or 36% of the more than 31,000 students here, this is the lowest rate compared to the 60% at other institutions of higher learning nationwide.
“When I heard this, immediate action had to be taken. To increase the college’s accommodation capacity, I approved RM25 million for its expenditure,” he said to rapturous applause from the UPSI students and staff.
Also present was Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Anwar said the project would be implemented under the Public-Private Partnership Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department.
He said he had instructed the finance ministry to ensure the allocation is approved before the end of the year.
Zambry, who made a working visit to the Ungku Omar Residential College, UPSI on Saturday (December 16), had said that the Higher Education Ministry would hold talks with institutions of higher learning nationwide to identify universities requiring solutions regarding student accommodation issues.
During the visit, Zambry heard the complaints and issues faced by students regarding accommodation within the university. – December 21, 2023