KUALA LUMPUR: The government allocated RM1.1 billion between 2021 and 2025 to replace, upgrade and rehabilitate ageing infrastructure and equipment at public higher education institutions.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said nearly RM225 million was also allocated during the period to upgrade and repair existing student hostels.
He said 15 new residential colleges under a public-private partnership initiative had been completed, providing accommodation for 45,000 students.
"The government plans to build five more residential colleges at public higher education institutions using a similar approach, with a combined capacity of 21,000 students," he said in reply to Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PH-Bandar Tun Razak).
Wan Azizah had asked about efforts to address the shortage of residential college places at public higher education institutions, particularly for students from the B40 group.
Zambry said the 2027 Budget would continue to prioritise student welfare, with RM800 million allocated to replace and upgrade residential colleges and hostels at public higher education institutions nationwide.
He said the ministry was also working with government-linked investment companies to facilitate the construction of student accommodation.
The residential project at Universiti Malaya, recently launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, would accommodate 10,000 students and was expected to be completed by 2031, he said.
The government had also allocated RM750 million for the Vista Kampus project, which would be implemented at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin and Universiti Teknologi Mara before being expanded to other public universities, he added.
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