KUALA LUMPUR: Notices will be issued to private higher education institutions (IPTS) to ensure that their cafeteria operators do not resort to raising prices arbitrarily, says Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir (pic).
He said his ministry is monitoring the prices of food items sold at both public universities (IPTA) and IPTS.
The ministry, he added, is prepared to take action against stubborn contractors who disregard student welfare in the face of rising fuel and commodity costs.
Zambry emphasised that while IPTA fall directly under his ministry’s jurisdiction, IPTS are expected to cooperate closely to maintain affordable food prices for their students.
“At the IPTA level, we are monitoring the situation as it falls under our authority.
“For the IPTS, we will notify them to take these matters into account, as such issues require bilateral discussion,” Zambry told reporters when met at the Celik Kewangan Belia Madani event here yesterday.
He said discussions were held with student representative councils recently, which highlighted concerns regarding food prices at several institutions.
He has since directed vice-chancellors at public universities to maintain constant surveillance of the situation on the ground.
The minister urged all private universities and 20 public universities, along with polytechnics and community colleges, to adopt welfare-driven initiatives.
