10.6 – Measures against discrimination

10.6.6 – Support for Underrepresented Groups

UKM provides mentoring, counselling and peer support programs for underrepresented groups. The Mentor-Mentee Program emphasises inclusivity, focusing on minority and disabled students, helping them feel comfortable and supported in the academic environment.

The Counseling Unit under HEP-UKM offers mental health support to all students, especially ethnic minorities from Sabah, Sarawak, and the Orang Asli community, helping them adjust to life far from home. Additionally, the Counseling Unit under the Human Resources Division supports staff with essential counselling services.

Through Peer Support, the Cakna OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya) or disabled people Volunteer Club promotes awareness and provides practical assistance to disabled staff and students, such as helping with transportation and campus navigation and services for examinations. The Disability Support and Services Unit further enhances accessibility and inclusion, ensuring disabled individuals receive comprehensive support across UKM.

Summary of the support for underrepresented groups

No	Initiatives
1	Mentoring i. Mentor-Mentee Program ii. Leadership Shadowing Program
2	Counseling i. Counselling Unit under UKM’s Centre for Student Affairs (HEP-UKM) ii. Counselling Unit under Human Resources Division, Registrar’s Department
3	Peer Support Programmes i. Disability Support and Services Unit (UPS-OKU), Registrar’s Department ii. Cakna OKU Volunteer Club (SAHABAT) iii. OKU Service for ExaminationsCareer Talk “Enhancing Capabilities with Allianz Malaysia”

1. Mentoring

i. Mentor-Mentee Program

UKM’s Mentor-Mentee Program emphasises inclusivity, focusing on the unique needs of underrepresented groups, including minority and disabled students. While the program is compulsory for all students, it is tailored to provide specialised support for those from underrepresented group backgrounds, ensuring they feel welcomed and valued in the academic environment.

Mentors play a pivotal role in fostering a sense of belonging for these students, offering personalised guidance and understanding to help them overcome potential barriers. Through regular interactions, mentors actively engage with students, addressing their specific concerns, and promoting a supportive atmosphere that encourages academic and personal growth. This approach not only supports students academically but also nurtures their confidence and comfort within the university community, embodying UKM’s commitment to reducing inequalities and fostering an inclusive educational space.

ii. Leadership Shadowing Program

The Leadership Shadowing Program at UKM is designed with a strong commitment to inclusivity, focusing on supporting underrepresented groups such as ethnic minorities and women, particularly in STEM fields where women have been traditionally underrepresented. By offering mentorship and leadership development to new lecturers from diverse backgrounds, UKM demonstrates its dedication to reducing inequalities and fostering equal opportunities across all disciplines, empowering individuals from both ethnic minority groups and women in STEM to excel and thrive in academia.

List of Women Mentor and Mentee under Shadowing Program in 2024

No.	Mentor	Mentee
1.	Prof. Datin. Dr. Marina Mat BakiDean,Faculty of Medicine	Putri Anis Syahira Binti Mohamad JamilFaculty of Health Sciences
2.	Prof. Dr. Aini AmanDean,Faculty of Economics and Management	Siti Farahiyah Binti Hj Ab RahimFaculty of Law
3.	Prof. Dr. Tuti Ningseh Mohd DomDean, Faculty of Dentistry	Cheong Xiong KheeFaculty of Medicine
4.	Prof. Dr. Suzana Bt. ShaharDean Faculty of Health Sciences	Nuraqila Binti Mohd MurshidFaculty of Medicine
5.	Prof. Dr. Rasyikah Md KhalidDean, Faculty of Law	1. Norfazila Binti Ab HamidFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities2. ‘Aqilah Binti MukhtarFaculty of Science and Technology
6.	Prof. Ir. Dr. Siti Kartom Binti KamarudinDirector, Fuel Cell Institute	Sarina Binti YusoffFaculty of Social Sciences and Humanities
7.	Prof. Madya Dr. Nor Azian Binti Abdul MuradDirector, UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute	Jasmine LeeFaculty of Medicine
8.	Prof. Madya Dr. Rabiah Abdul Kadir Director, Institute of Visual Informatics	Intan Maiza Binti Abd RahmanFaculty of Economics and ManagementRos Nadiah Binti RosliFaculty of Engineering and Built EnvironmentNorshafidah Binti Abu ShafianSolar Energy Research Institute (SERI)
9.	Prof. Dr. Kamisah binti OsmanDirector, Centre for Quality Assurance	1. Harvinder Kaur a/p Gilcharan SinghFaculty of Health Sciences 2. Ruzanna Binti Ab RazakFaculty of Economics and Management
10.	Prof.Madya Dr. Nor Ba’yah Abdul Kadir Director, Tun Fatimah Hashim Women’s Leadership Centre	Siti Hajar ZuberFaculty of Health Sciences

2. Counseling

i. Counselling Unit under UKM’s Centre for Student Affairs (HEP-UKM)

The Counselling Unit under UKM’s Centre for Student Affairs (HEP-UKM) provides essential mental health support to all students, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups, such as minority ethnic students from Sabah, Sarawak, and the Orang Asli community. Recognizing the unique challenges these students face while adjusting to life far from home, the unit offers tailored guidance and counselling to ensure they feel welcomed and supported, helping to prevent feelings of isolation or discrimination. This commitment reflects UKM’s dedication to creating an inclusive and empathetic campus environment for all students.

In addition, the Counseling Unit provides mental health support for all students through services such as healthy mind screenings, personalised counselling sessions, and crisis intervention for critical mental health cases. This comprehensive support system underscores UKM’s commitment to the well-being and inclusivity of its student community.

Website Link: www.ukm.my/hepukm/unit-kaunseling-2

ii. Counselling Unit under Human Resources Division, Registrar’s Department

The Counseling Unit under the Human Resources Division, Registrar’s Department, provides mental health and well-being support for UKM staff. This includes services such as mental health screenings, guidance and counselling sessions, and crisis intervention for critical mental health issues. UKM’s commitment to these services ensures a supportive environment for all staff, promoting overall well-being within the university community.

3. Peer Support Programmes

i. Disability Support and Services Unit (UPS-OKU), Registrar’s Department

In addition to the Cakna OKU Volunteer Club , UKM also has the Disability Support and Services Unit under the Registrar’s Department, which provides comprehensive support for both disabled students and staff. This unit plays a vital role in promoting visibility and inclusion for disabled individuals within the university. Their services include arranging transportation for disabled students and staff to access classes and offices, offering emotional support, and continuously improving campus facilities to ensure they are disability-friendly. Through these efforts, UKM is dedicated to creating an accessible and supportive environment for all members of its community.

ii. Cakna OKU Volunteer Club (SAHABAT)

UKM’s Cakna OKU Volunteer Club (SAHABAT) plays a vital role in promoting awareness and understanding of the needs of staff and students with disabilities. This volunteer-based club not only raises awareness but also provides practical support to disabled individuals within the university community. Members of the club act as “buddies” to disabled staff and students, offering assistance such as helping them move between offices or classrooms, providing guidance around campus, and supporting them during events.

The Cakna OKU Volunteer Club (SAHABAT) also organises activities for disabled staff and students, providing them with opportunities for engagement, social interaction, and community building within UKM. These activities aim to foster a supportive and inclusive environment, further enhancing the well-being and campus experience of disabled individuals.

Cakna OKU Volunteer Club (SAHABAT) embodies UKM’s commitment to inclusivity and creates a more supportive environment where disabled individuals feel valued and empowered.

iii. OKU Service for Examinations

The Cakna OKU Volunteer Club (SAHABAT) collaborated with the OKU Services & Support Unit UKM to assist students with special needs in sitting for their exams at the Chancellor Tun Abdul Razak Hall (DECTAR). Tan Guan You, a Bachelor of Law student, was assisted by Saudara Muhammad Aiman Najmi Mahadi as a volunteer to support the student with disabilities during the final examination for Semester 1, Academic Session 2023/2024. This volunteer service also provided an opportunity for UKM students to support those in need at this beloved university. It is hoped that the service provided will encourage students to continue helping those who require assistance.

iv. Career Talk “Enhancing Capabilities with Allianz Malaysia”

12 June 2024, the Career Talk “Enhancing Capabilities with Allianz Malaysia” program was organized by UPS-OKU in collaboration with the Students with Disabilities Secretariat (SMAKU). The target group for this program was final-year students with a total of 20 individuals (students with disabilities) participating in this program.. The main objective of the program is to provide exposure to career pathways for students with disabilities and to open employment opportunities for students with disabilities who are about to graduate.The program received a positive response from the UKM disabled community. Program activities included a career forum for students with disabilities at Allianz Bank and a sharing session by staff with disabilities from Allianz Bank.

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