SHAH ALAM: For the first time since its establishment more than five decades ago, Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) has appointed two students as its Senate members effective July 1.
The two students were Shah Alam UiTM Student Representative Council (MPP) honorary treasurer Nurul Fatiha Norsip and assistant vice-president (Communication & Internationalisation) Muhamad Afiq Hariz Khatem.
The appointment of the duo was made by UiTM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Azraai Kassim according to Section 16A (5) UiTM Act 1976.
Mohd Azraai said the appointment was in line with the Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik’s call to empower the students’ ability and inclusion in the university’s management process.
“This is the first time we appoint students as Senate members and UiTM is the third public university to do so after Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) and Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP).
“With the appointment of the two students, we now have 72 senate members. I hope they can give their commitment and contribute to the university’s development while taking UiTM to greater heights in a bid to empower higher education in Malaysia, ” he told a press conference here today.
He said the two students would be members of the UiTM Senate until their tenure in the MPP expires.
Nurul Fatiha, 25, a law student, said she was deeply moved by the university’s trust and was determined to voice out the problems faced by students in the UiTM Senate meeting.
“Having the opportunity to be the senate member to represent the students is meaningful enough for me and I will try my level best to voice out the rights of students,” she said.
For Muhamad Afiq Harez, 23, a Business Administration student, his main mission was to help improve the quality of education at the university so as to meet the current trends and market demands.
“I am confident that this appointment will not interfere with my studies and I will try to balance my time as a student and a Senate member,” he added. – Bernama
