QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026
Social Impact EqualityIndicator
EQ7.4 – Accommodation Policy or Strategy for People with Disabilities
At Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. Our reasonable accommodation policy ensures that students and staff with disabilities receive the necessary support to access education, facilities, and services equitably. This includes adequate funding for assistive technologies, accessible infrastructure, and tailored support programs. Through this strategy, UKM strives to empower individuals with disabilities, promoting equal opportunities and full participation in academic and campus life.
Table EQ7.4.1: Summary of the reasonable accommodation policy or strategy for people with disabilities, including adequate funding.
| No | Accessible Facilities And Support Services For People With Disabilities At UKM |
|---|---|
| 1 | UKM Inclusive Policy For Persons With Disabilities (OKU) |
| 2 | UKM Offers On-Campus Accommodation a) Accessible Room for Disabled people b) Support for Residential College Applications for OKU Students |
| 3 | Adequate Funding For People With Disabilities a) Tabung Prihatin OKU UKM b) Upgrading Project Budget from Higher Education Institutions (IPT) for OKU-Friendly at UKM c) Financial Assistance for UKM Disable Students from the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) d) Faculty of Education Receives 2024 Budget Initiative for OKU Empowerment e) UKM Commits to Inclusivity with Adequate Funding for OKU Facilities Enhancement |
Detail of the reasonable accommodation policy or strategy for people with disabilities, including adequate funding at UKM is shown below:
1. UKM Inclusive Policy For Persons With Disabilities (OKU)
The UKM Inclusive Policy for Persons with Disabilities (OKU) was approved in University Management Meeting No. 5/2019 to be implemented progressively based on suitability and current needs. UKM is committed to ensuring that students, staff, and visitors with disabilities have full access to education, work environments, and campus life that is inclusive and free from barriers and discrimination.
Source: https://www.ukm.my/pendaftar/ups-oku/
Figure 7.4.1: The image presents the Strategic Plan for Inclusive Policies for Persons with Disabilities (OKU) at UKM (2019-2023). The plan consists of five key policies:
- Administration – Managing student, staff, and visitor affairs, including establishing the OKU Services & Support Unit (UPSOKU), appointing OKU liaison officers, introducing flexible university regulations, and financial planning.
- Accessibility, Accommodation & Funding – Ensuring easy access to buildings, infrastructure, and services through access audits and development plans for OKU-friendly facilities.
- Support Services – Providing inclusive learning and employment support, including one-on-one case management, emotional and psychological support, career development programs, and individualized career support.
- Protection – Safeguarding against discrimination, harassment, and threats by reviewing admission criteria, ensuring discrimination-free environments, offering online complaint systems, and setting safety SOPs for OKU.
- OKU Awareness Culture – Creating an inclusive campus community with disability equality training, integration programs, webinars, annual OKU Day celebrations, recognition of achievements, and media engagement.
This strategic plan aligns with UKM’s goal of fostering an OKU-friendly campus.
2. UKM Offers On-Campus Accommodation
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) provides on-campus accommodation for its students, including those with disabilities (OKU). The university ensures that residential colleges are safe, accessible, and equipped with essential facilities to support students’ academic and personal needs. For OKU students, UKM offers priority housing with necessary accessibility features to create an inclusive living environment. Through the Student Housing and OKU Support Unit (UPS-OKU), the university continuously works to enhance accommodation facilities, ensuring that all students have a comfortable and supportive campus experience.
a) Accessible Room for Persons with disabilities (OKU)
Some residential colleges at UKM offer accessible dormitories with wide doorways, allowing wheelchair users and individuals with mobility challenges to move in and out of rooms comfortably. The rooms are furnished with accessible furniture designed to accommodate various types of disabilities, enabling students to use the facilities independently without assistance.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) provides a residential college for students including students with disabilities. UKM has 10 residential colleges in the Bangi Campus. Two residential colleges with accommodations suitable for students with disabilities are Ungku Omar College (KUO) and Dato’ Onn College (KDO). KDO has 1 room for male students and 1 room for female students while KUO has 3 rooms for male students and 3 rooms for female students.
(https://www.ukm.my/kuo/)
(https://www.ukm.my/kdo/)
(https://www.ukm.my/kab/)
The room design for persons with disabilities (OKU) requires consideration of accessibility, safety, and comfort. Here are key characteristics for such:
- Accessibility
- Wide Doorways: Minimum width of 900 mm to accommodate wheelchairs.
- Level Entry: No steps; ramps with handrails for entry.
- Clear Pathways: Adequate space for maneuvering wheelchairs (at least 1500 mm turning radius).
- Adjustable Furniture: Beds and desks with adjustable heights.
- Safety
- Non-Slip Flooring: Use of anti-slip tiles or materials to prevent falls.
- Grab Bars: Installed in bathrooms and near the bed.
- Rounded Edges: Furniture with rounded edges to avoid injuries.
- Emergency Systems: Accessible alarm systems and call buttons.
- Comfort
- Ergonomic Furniture: Designed for ease of use and support.
- Climate Control: Easy-to-operate air conditioning or heating.
- Adjustable Lighting: Dimmable lights or task lighting for specific needs.
- Soundproofing: For individuals with sensory sensitivities.
- Bathroom Features
- Roll-In Shower: No curb, with a foldable seat and handheld showerhead.
- Accessible Sink: Knee clearance underneath and lever-style faucets.
- Low Mirror Placement: Tilted or height-appropriate mirrors.
These features ensure that the room is not only functional but also enhances the independence and dignity of the user.
b) Support for Residential College Applications for OKU Students
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is committed to providing equal access to on-campus accommodation for students with disabilities (OKU). To ensure a conducive and inclusive living environment, UKM supports OKU students in their residential college applications, prioritizing their needs for accessibility, convenience, and proximity to academic facilities. Through initiatives led by the Student Housing and OKU Support Unit (UPS-OKU), the university strives to facilitate comfortable accommodation that enhances the overall university experience for OKU students.
The document from the Department of Registrar, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) addresses the issue of OKU (persons with disabilities) students who were unable to secure residential college placement for the 2024/2025 academic session. In response, the Student Housing and OKU Support Unit (UPS-OKU) has requested reconsideration for these students to be granted accommodation, ensuring they have equal access to university facilities such as internet services and the library and enabling them to attend classes with ease. This request highlights UKM commitment to inclusivity and providing adequate support to OKU students for a more accessible and conducive learning environment.
3. Adequate Funding For Persons With Disabilities (OKU)
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for people with disabilities (OKU) by ensuring adequate funding for their needs. Recognizing the importance of equal access to education, UKM allocates financial resources to enhance accessibility, provide assistive technologies, and support academic and career development programs for OKU students and staff. This funding plays a crucial role in implementing inclusive policies, such as infrastructure improvements, psychological and emotional support, and specialized learning materials tailored to the needs of the disabled community.
Through strategic planning, UKM continues to strengthen its financial support system, ensuring that OKU individuals have the resources necessary to thrive in academia and beyond. This introduction explores the university’s financial commitment, its impact on the OKU community, and the continuous efforts to enhance funding mechanisms for a more inclusive campus.
a) Tabung Prihatin OKU UKM
Tabung Prihatin OKU UKM is a special fund established to support the needs of people with disabilities (OKU) at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), including students and staff. Donations help provide essential assistance and services for the OKU community at UKM.
This initiative plays a crucial role in strengthening UKM’s inclusive policies by funding key areas such as disability-friendly infrastructure, specialized learning materials, career support programs, and welfare assistance. By providing sustainable financial resources, Tabung Prihatin OKU UKM empowers the disabled community to achieve academic success and actively participate in university life.
OKU community at UKM
Source: https://www.ukm.my/pendaftar/tabung-prihatin-oku-ukm/
b) Upgrading Project Budget from Higher Education Institutions (IPT) for OKU-Friendly at UKM
The Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (KPT) grants Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) official approval to implement an infrastructure upgrading project to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities (OKU). The project is funded by a RM600,000 allocation from the Ministry of Finance (MoF) under the Covid-19 Fund Group, aimed at improving the OKU-friendly infrastructure in government-owned buildings at UKM. This initiative aligns with the university’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, ensuring that students with disabilities have a more accommodating and supportive learning environment. The implementation and infrastructure upgrading project to enhance accessibility for persons with disabilities (OKU) will continue from 2022 until 2024.
c) Financial Assistance for UKM Disable Students from the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT)
The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) provides financial assistance to UKM Disabled Students to support their educational needs. This assistance covers tuition fees, living expenses, assistive technology, and other essential support, ensuring equal access to higher education.
Through scholarships, allowances, and special grants, this initiative aims to ease financial burdens and create an inclusive and supportive academic environment for OKU students. UKM and KPT remain committed to empowering students with disabilities to achieve academic success and personal growth.
d) Faculty of Education Receives 2024 Budget Initiative for OKU Empowerment
The Ministry of Finance Malaysia and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia have entrusted the Faculty of Education with the 2024 Budget Initiative for OKU Empowerment, specifically for the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (PPDK) and OKU Facilities in Public Universities (UA), with a total allocation of RM915,000. This project is led by Associate Professor Dr. Hasnah Toran, with a team comprising special education experts from FPEND: Mr. Mohd Syazwan Zainal (Autism Specialist), Dr. Mohd Norazmi Nordin (Visual Impairment Specialist), Dr. Khairul Farhah Khairuddin (Learning Disability Specialist), and Dr. Syar Meeze Mohd Rashid (Sign Language Specialist).
e) UKM Commits to Inclusivity with Adequate Funding for OKU Facilities Enhancement
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) continues to demonstrate its commitment to inclusivity by providing adequate funding to enhance facilities for persons with disabilities (OKU) students. Through strategic financial allocations, UKM aims to create a more accessible and supportive environment, ensuring that OKU students can fully benefit from the university’s resources. This initiative reflects UKM’s dedication to fostering equal opportunities and improving the overall student experience for individuals with disabilities.
The document is an official letter from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), issued by Pusat Strategi UKM (UKM Strategy Centre) and addressed to Kolej Aminuddin Baki (KAB). It announces the approval of the OKU Facilities Upgrade Project in the residential college. UKM has sanctioned the project and allocated RM15,000 in funding to enhance OKU facilities at KAB. This initiative is designed to improve accessibility and ensure that OKU students can fully utilize and benefit from the facilities provided by the university.
The document is an official letter from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), specifically from Pusat Strategi UKM (UKM Strategy Centre), addressed to Kolej Dato’ Onn (KDO) regarding the approval of financial support for upgrading facilities for person with disabilities (OKU) in the residential college. The funding request has been granted, with an allocated amount of RM 1,000.00, which is strictly designated for acquiring new equipment. This approval demonstrates UKM’s dedication to improving accessibility and enhancing facilities for OKU students within its residential colleges.