KUALA LUMPUR: Student associations are now allowed to open their own bank accounts to receive donations directly, as the Higher Education Ministry prepares to amend several provisions of the Universities and University Colleges Act .
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir (pic) said the proposed amendments would address existing restrictions that continued to affect students, particularly when organising activities and programmes.
“We are placing emphasis on matters that continue to pose obstacles to students in organising their programmes,” he said when winding up the Budget 2027 debates at the committee stage in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He said student associations no longer needed to rely on the bank accounts of other associations to manage their finances.
“They can now open their own accounts, and anyone who wishes to provide assistance or contributions can transfer them directly to those accounts,” he said.
He acknowledged that some associations might need time to complete the process but stressed that there were no longer any restrictions preventing student associations from opening their own accounts.
Zambry said the ministry also continued to provide scholarships and financial assistance to eligible students, including those from the B40 group.
“A total of 26,934 B40 students had received sponsorship from the ministry as of Oct 15,” he said.
Through the Higher Education Early Assistance programme and Yayasan Pendidikan Siswa, RM439,000 had also been channelled to students in need.
Zambry said the ministry was using various methods, including public-private partnerships (PPP) and private finance initiatives to speed up the construction and upgrading of student residences.
Under the 13th Malaysia Plan, five new residential colleges at public universities had been developed through PPP arrangements, providing accommodation for up to 21,000 students.
