KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has launched Universiti Malaya's (UM) Residensi Siswa project, a student housing development aimed at accommodating up to 40,000 students in two phases.
In a statement, UM said the first phase, scheduled for completion in 2030, would provide accommodation for 10,000 students, while the second phase would cater to an additional 30,000 students.
The development will offer four accommodation categories, namely standard, standard premium, apartment and studio, with different room configurations to meet students' needs. All categories are planned to include air-conditioning.
UM vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Prof Ir Dr Noor Azuan Abu Osman said the project reflected the university's commitment to improving student welfare alongside academic and research excellence.
"We cannot speak of excellence in higher education without considering students' everyday needs. Providing comfortable, safe and affordable accommodation must be among the university's development priorities," he said.
The project will adopt a community-living concept, integrating residential facilities with social and communal spaces to encourage interaction among students.
Noor Azuan said the development was also aligned with the UM Transformation Plan 2050, which aims to integrate academic, residential and community needs within the campus.
UM added that the phased development could create opportunities for strategic partnerships, including potential participation by a consortium of government-linked investment companies (GLICs), to explore sustainable development models.
The project also supports the government's higher education infrastructure agenda under Budget 2027 and the Malaysia Plan.
