Sultan Selangor Wants UiTM To Produce Job Creators, A Gateway For Malay And Bumiputera Social Mobility

SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, wants Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) to continue playing its role as a gateway for social mobility for Malay and Bumiputera children, particularly those from low-income families and rural areas, to build a better future through education.

His Majesty also wants UiTM to produce more job creators and economic owners, serving as a catalyst for the development of a generation of entrepreneurs, innovators and industry leaders, rather than merely continuing its success in producing a Bumiputera professional class.

His Majesty does not want that as UiTM grows larger and more advanced, the target group that was the very reason the institution was established is left behind or becomes increasingly distant from higher education opportunities.

“The child of a farmer, fisherman, driver, factory worker or poor family in the village must continue to be given the confidence that if they have the ability and determination to achieve great knowledge, UiTM will provide the path for them to change their future.

“That is the spirit of UiTM’s struggle that should never be lost,” said His Majesty at the UiTM 2026 Royal Address ceremony themed ‘Excellence in Educational Institutions as the Core of National Development’ at the Seri Budiman Concert Hall here today.

Also in attendance was the Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.

Also present were the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, and UiTM Vice-Chancellor, Prof Datuk Shahrin Sahib @ Sahibuddin.

Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that UiTM’s ability to produce Bumiputera professionals is not mere rhetoric, but rather a reality proven through clear figures and achievements.

His Majesty said the presence of UiTM alumni as industry leaders and visionary technocrats is evidence that the university’s educational mould is capable of producing resilient, competitive leaders imbued with a strong sense of identity.

His Majesty stressed that the increase in the number of Bumiputera professionals is crucial to balance the participation gap of the community in strategic fields, in line with the original objective of UiTM’s establishment.

“This sacred institution has proven its ability to render service, as its graduates are no longer merely spectators of history, but have become key drivers, corporate figures and renowned leaders at both the national and global stage,” said Sultan Sharafuddin.

Sultan Sharafuddin also emphasised that UiTM should strengthen the culture of excellence, integrity, discipline and merit among the university community.

“Let us never use the Bumiputera agenda as an excuse to accept something mediocre or of poor quality.

“We cannot forever ask the world to make room for us. The coming generation of Malays and Bumiputera must be prepared so that they possess the knowledge, expertise, confidence and competitiveness that enable them to seize that space with their own capabilities,” said His Majesty.

Additionally, Sultan Sharafuddin also proposed that a system be developed so that every university alumnus could contribute at least RM10 per month or RM100 per year as a token of gratitude and appreciation for all the services rendered by UiTM throughout their period of study.

His Majesty said that in 1965, the institution that formed the basis of today’s UiTM had only about 219 students and 11 teaching staff.

“Today, UiTM has become one of the largest higher education institutions in the country. To date, UiTM’s student intake has reached nearly 196,000 students.

“UiTM now produces over 40,000 graduates each year, while its total number of alumni has surpassed one million people.

“With such a large number, I am confident that alumni contributions should be able to become more significant. Here, I wish to propose that a system be developed so that every alumnus can contribute at least RM10 per month or RM100 per year to UiTM as a token of gratitude and appreciation for all the services rendered by this institution throughout their period of study.

“I believe that the value of RM10 is not burdensome and can be contributed by every alumnus; consider it a sacrifice for the sustainability of UiTM,” said His Majesty.

Sultan Sharafuddin decreed that in addition to being used for UiTM’s development in various aspects, the accumulated fund, which could reach RM100 million per year, is hoped to be used to assist new and continuing students facing poverty and difficulties in funding their education.

Berita Harian