Selangor: Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has emphasized the importance of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in continuing to serve as a vital pathway for social mobility among Malay and Bumiputera youths from low-income and rural backgrounds. His Royal Highness underscored the necessity for UiTM to remain true to its founding mission of providing higher education opportunities to those who may otherwise be left behind. He highlighted the need for children from families of farmers, fishermen, drivers, factory workers, and those in poor rural areas to have access to education through UiTM if they possess the ability and determination to pursue knowledge.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sultan Sharafuddin delivered these remarks during the UiTM 2026 Royal Address at Dewan Konsert Seri Budiman. The event also saw the presence of Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir. His Royal Highness noted that UiTM had made significant strides since its inception in 1965, growing from a modest institution with 219 students and 11 lecturers to one of the largest higher learning institutions in Malaysia today.
Sultan Sharafuddin highlighted the impressive expansion of UiTM over the years, with the institution now producing over 40,000 graduates annually and boasting an alumni network exceeding one million individuals. He proposed leveraging this vast network by encouraging alumni to contribute financially to UiTM, suggesting a system where each alumnus donates at least RM10 a month or RM100 a year as a token of gratitude for the education they received.
His Royal Highness expressed confidence that such contributions, potentially amassing up to RM100 million annually, could significantly aid in UiTM's development and assist students facing financial difficulties. He pointed out that this initiative would resonate with UiTM's spirit and the slogan 'UiTM Dihatiku,' reflecting the transformative impact the institution has had on underprivileged Bumiputera students.
Sultan Sharafuddin concluded by acknowledging the widespread presence of UiTM graduates across various industries and sectors, including accounting, engineering, medicine, law, academia, entrepreneurship, and more. He emphasized that the true measure of UiTM's success lies not in its statistics but in its ability to transform lives and contribute to the progress of the nation.