Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) is a public university with 34 campuses across the country. Historically, it was created to help underprivileged Bumiputera students from low income or rural families or in other words, students from the B40 community.
However, over time, even those who are more than financially capable to attend other universities have enrolled in UiTM and some Malaysians have taken issue with it.
While the debate has been ongoing for a while, it recently ramped up on Twitter where Malaysians are shaming students from T20 households for enrolling in the university and taking up spots that would have otherwise gone to more needy students.
UiTM is not for T20 students
Although a Utusan report states that only 30% or 55,620 students in UiTM are from M40 and T20 households, netizens are not assuaged because it still means 50,000 less opportunities to receive subsidised education for the B40 students.
“The question is, why would T20 students need subsidised education from the government? It’s still understandable for the M40,” said one netizen
They also thought it funny that well-to-do students would shamelessly strut around the UiTM campus flexing their Prada bags and Mercedes while justifying their attending of the university as a way to save money.
So, although ideally anyone who is more than capable of paying for their education at full price shouldn’t apply to UiTM, one netizen shared her thoughts on a middle ground that may be achieved.
“UiTM is there to protect the rights of B40 and M40 to receive education. If you can afford designer items, you should have the pride to pay even more for your education,” she said.
“Morally, she shouldn’t feel so good flexing her wealth while paying the cheapest fee for her education.”
T20 deserve to go to UiTM too
On the other hand, some Malaysians were of the opinion that students from all backgrounds, including those from T20 households deserve to enrol in UiTM if they wish because of the high quality of education there.
“UiTM has some of the best tertiary programs- (even niche ones) that other universities don’t have.”
Additionally, they expressed that it’s unreasonable to ask all T20 students to attend only private universities as most have subpar education quality and terrible management.
“It’s not worth the price. It’s better to apply to any public colleges in Malaysia like UPSI, UM, UKM, IIUM and more. Not just UiTM.”
Do you think there’s room for students from T20 households in UiTM?
Also read: M’sian Students Sell Tablets from PerantiSiswa to Upgrade to an iPad, Condemned by Netizens
