5.3 – Student access measures

5.3.4 – Women’s Application in Underrepresented Subjects

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) actively promotes women’s participation in fields and disciplines where they are traditionally underrepresented, reflecting its commitment to inclusivity and equal access to academic and professional opportunities. Through a series of targeted programs, UKM empowers women to pursue excellence in STEM, entrepreneurship, leadership and cultural engagement. These initiatives such as the Bateq Jungle Classroom Literacy Program, Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program and Women in Electron Devices and Young Professionals Session at IEEE ICSE 2024, provide platforms for skill development, innovation and global exposure. By supporting women in these areas, UKM strengthens gender diversity and contributes to building a more balanced and equitable academic ecosystem.

Table : Women’s application in underrepresented subjects

No.	Programs
1.	Bateq Jungle Classroom Literacy Program 2.0 Series 8
2.	Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program: “Right Diet For You” Encouraging Women In Entrepreneurship
3.	Women In Electron Devices And Young Professionals Session At IEEE International Conference On Semiconductor Electronics (ICSE2024)
4.	Participation of Female Students in the 2024 International Cultural Immersion Summer Camp (BINAR) Mobility Program in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia

1. Bateq Jungle Classroom Literacy Program 2.0 Series 8

In 2024, through university outreach and collaboration with Yayasan Food Bank Malaysia (YFBM), the CSR Kem Rimba Bateq PMFST introduced Bateq girls to STEM subjects, supporting UKM’s commitment to gender equality. The Education & Community Development Program ‘Bateq Jungle Classroom’ at Pos Changkung, Sungai Keniam, Taman Negara Pahang for the year 2024 has been successfully conducted in eight series since January 2024. This program is a collaboration between the Faculty of Science & Technology (FST) and the Malaysian Food Bank Foundation (YFBM), with full support from the Student Affairs Center (HEP-UKM) and the Faculty of Science and Technology Student Association (PMFST).

The closing ceremony of the 8th series was graced by the presence of Prof. Ts. Dr. Norinsan Kamil Bin Othman, Director of HEP-UKM; Prof. ChM. Dr. Ishak Bin Ahmad, Dean of FST; Prof. Madya Dr. Abdul Munir Bin Abdul Murad, Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies, FST; and Prof. Madya Ts. Dr. Mohd Hariri Bin Arifin, Deputy Dean of HEJIM, FST, along with 11 FST staff members and 12 students, assisted by YFBM personnel.

This 8-series program supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG1 (No Poverty) and SDG4 (Quality Education), by focusing on education, health, and welfare initiatives for the Bateq Indigenous community. The main activities included teaching Bahasa Melayu, English, and Mathematics; hygiene care classes; microbiology exposure sessions; and the distribution of food supplies to the local community.

2. Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program: “Right Diet For You” Encouraging Women In Entrepreneurship

On 24 December 2024, the Faculty of Health Sciences, UKM organized the Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program: “Right Diet for You” at UKM with subsidized fees. The program, conducted in collaboration with the Senior Citizen Activity Center (PAWE) and the National Commission for UNESCO Malaysia, gathered 35 participants to strengthen women’s skills in healthy food entrepreneurship. Through comprehensive training in business management, food processing, and digital marketing, several participants successfully launched their own businesses, contributing to economic empowerment and improved family income. The initiative also fostered a supportive network of women entrepreneurs while raising awareness on the importance of healthy eating. This program had a direct impact on enhancing women’s entrepreneurial capacity, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and advancing SDG 5: Gender Equality by providing greater access to opportunities for women’s empowerment and social inclusion.

3. Women In Electron Devices And Young Professionals Session At IEEE International Conference On Semiconductor Electronics (ICSE2024)

After a lapse of 6 years, IEEE Electron Devices Society (EDS) Malaysia Chapter has again co-organized the ICSE conference with the Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) from 19-20th August 2024 at the Grand Millenium Hotel Kuala Lumpur. The conference was chaired by IMEN Founder Ex-Director and IEEE EDS Malaysia Chapter Advisor, Prof Dato Dr Burhanuddin Yeop Majlis.

The Women in Electron Devices and Young Professionals Networking Dinner was organized in conjunction with ICSE2024 on 19th August 2024 and was sponsored by IEEE EDS. Welcoming remarks were given by Prof Arokia Nathan (Cambridge University), IEEE EDS President-Elect and Prof Dr Durga Misra (New Jersey Institute of Technology), IEEE EDS VP of Membership. A brief overview on IEEE EDS Women in Electron Devices was given by the chair, Dr Susi from IMEN UKM. This was followed by an overview of IEEE EDS Young Professionals initiatives by Dr Aliza Aini from IIUM. The lively session attended by 45 participants including academia, industry and students was handled by Masters of Ceremony and IEEE EDS Malaysia Chapter Excom members; Dr Aliza Aini Md Ralib and Dr Rosminazuin Ab Rahim from IIUM. The dinner session was also graced by IEEE EDS Fellows, DLs and ICSE2024 Plenary Speakers, Prof Edward Yi Chang and Prof Hiroshi Iwai from NCTU Taiwan. Prof Hiroshi Iwai also invited possible proposals from the Malaysian delegates on the 100 Years of the Field Effect Transistor (FET) scheduled to be held in 2025.  

During the dinner session, three speakers shared their experiences of their work life experiences and how IEEE EDS has been a catapulting factor in advancing their international recognition and professional network. The speakers were Dr Hazian Mamat from MIMOS who is also the IEEE EDS Malaysian Chapter Chair, Dr Rhonira Latif IMEN UKM and Dr Nurul Ezaila Alias from UTM who is also the Secretary of IEEE EDS Malaysia Chapter.

4. Participation of Female Students in the 2024 International Cultural Immersion Summer Camp (BINAR) Mobility Program in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia

From 2 to 15 September 2024, a third-year student from the Faculty of Education, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Fatin Qurratu’Aini Mujibur Rahman, representing the TESL program, participated in the International Cultural Immersion Summer Camp (BINAR) 2024 held in Jakarta and Bali, Indonesia. The program, organized by Universitas Terbuka (UT) Indonesia, provided participants with enriching opportunities to experience cultural exchange and to develop leadership qualities that are responsive to multicultural diversity.

Through this initiative, participants gained valuable exposure to different cultural practices, promoting cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship development. The program fee was subsidized, making it more accessible to participants.

Overall, this international mobility experience contributed to nurturing future sustainable human capital equipped with intercultural competence and leadership awareness.

UKM’s initiatives under Women’s Application in Underrepresented Subjects demonstrate its strong commitment to empowering women through education, innovation and global engagement. By implementing targeted programs such as the Bateq Jungle Classroom Literacy Program, Healthy Food Entrepreneur Training Program, Women in Electron Devices Session at IEEE ICSE 2024 and participation in the BINAR International Cultural Immersion Camp, UKM provides platforms for women to excel in STEM, entrepreneurship and intercultural leadership. These impactful efforts not only bridge gender gaps in traditionally male-dominated fields but also strengthen women’s visibility, skills and confidence advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) while positioning UKM as a leader in inclusive and sustainable higher education.