QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2027
Social Impact EqualityIndicator
EQ7.4 – Reasonable accommodation policy or strategy for people with disabilities, including adequate funding
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) Endowment Room Sponsorship Program (Accommodation) c) Support for Residential College Applications for OKU Students |
| 3 | Adequate Funding For People With Disabilities a) The Budi Service Fund (Tabung Khidmat Budi) b) Student Affairs Welfare Fund (HEP) c) Upgrading Project Budget from Higher Education Institutions (IPT) for OKU-Friendly at UKM d) Financial Assistance for UKM Disable Students from the Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) e) Disability Assistive Device Contribution: Care4OKU Aid welfare initiative to UKM by Yayasan Perkasa Siswa (Student Empowerment Foundation) |
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) Endowment Room Sponsorship Program (Accommodation)
The Endowment Room Sponsorship Program (Accommodation) is an initiative designed to support financially disadvantaged college students who are in need of assistance, especially persons with disabilities. This program aims to provide comfortable and affordable accommodation for underprivileged students, ensuring they have a stable living environment while pursuing their studies. The initiative is made possible through the generous sponsorship of UKM alumni, who contribute funds to support the program.
c) 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.
Figure 7.4.8: Letter of support to address the issue of OKU (persons with disabilities) students who were unable to secure residential college placement. Enlarge document can be accessed here LINK.
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 2025/2026 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 Khas Khidmat Budi (Donation Fund)
Tabung Khas Khidmat Budi is established with the objective of assisting various communities, including people with disabilities (OKU), alongside students, indigenous people, single mothers, senior citizens, and orphans. Tabung Khidmat Budi is a platform developed to empower fundraising and volunteer activities in assisting the community and society. As of 2025, the total amount collected in this fund was RM 583,704.48.
Source: https://give2ukm.ukm.my/tabung-sumbangan/96
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.
b) Student Affairs Welfare Fund (HEP)
Student Welfare Fund (HEP) Options available to full-time local undergraduate and postgraduate students at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). Under this fund The Support Equipment Assistance for students with hearing disabilities (OKU) at UKM functions as a critical financial bridge to ensure academic inclusivity by providing funding for necessary medical devices like hearing aids or cochlear implant components. Administered through the Student Affairs Centre (HEP) in coordination with the Unit Sokongan OKU (UPS-OKU), this fund specifically targets local students who require specialized equipment to follow lectures effectively but face financial constraints. Beyond just purchasing new devices, the support often extends to maintenance or repairs and is typically facilitated by medical recommendations from specialists, such as those at UKM’s own HEARS Center, to ensure the technology provided matches the student’s specific clinical needs.
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.
c) Budget from Higher Education Institutions (IPT) for OKU-Friendly at UKM
This project, part of a budget initiative to develop and upgrade disability-friendly facilities at Public Higher Education Institutions, focuses on enhancing accessibility at Kolej Pendeta Za’ba with a total investment of RM155,000.00. The aim is to provide equitable access to essential infrastructure by upgrading male and female restrooms (RM80,000.00) and dedicated OKU parking bays (RM75,000.00) in Blocks B and D1. The impact of these upgrades is the significant improvement of safety, mobility, and independence for students with disabilities, ensuring a dignified living environment that supports their daily needs.
d) 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.
e) Disability Assistive Device Contribution: Care4OKU Aid welfare initiative to UKM by Yayasan Perkasa Siswa (Student Empowerment Foundation).
This program involves the distribution of essential assistive technologies and medical equipment to students with disabilities (OKU). In 2025 and 2026, the university ecosystem focused on enhancing accessibility and support for students with disabilities through a combination of infrastructural upgrades and financial aid. A total of RM155,000.00 was allocated to modernize facilities at Kolej Pendeta Za’ba, specifically for upgrading restrooms and parking bays to meet OKU-friendly specifications. Complementing these physical improvements, the CARE4OKU initiative by Yayasan Perkasa Siswa provided direct financial grants totaling over RM12,000.00 to specific students, such as Amirul Syahmi Kamarudin for a prosthetic leg, Arina Basirah Saharudin for a hearing aid, and Muhammad Iqbal Abu Latiffi for a wheelchair.
