5.3.2 : Policy for women applications and entry
Policy for women applications and entry
The Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) has established a high-level policy framework, detailed in the UniTP Green Book: Enhancing University Board Governance And Effectiveness, that formally mandates Malaysian public universities, including Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), to adopt policies addressing women’s access and participation. This is achieved through an explicit governance mandate that links board diversity directly to the university’s commitment to equity.
The Green Book sets the strategic expectation that university Boards must ensure the delivery of “education for all (encompassing inclusiveness, equity and sustainability)”. This overarching principle serves as the formal institutional policy that obligates universities like UTM to implement specific measures to monitor and improve women’s application, acceptance, and participation rates as part of its commitment to inclusiveness and equity.
Furthermore, the document directly addresses the institutional mechanism of enforcing this policy by noting that the current composition of university Boards is “suboptimal,” specifically highlighting that “women are under-represented”. To correct this, the Green Book issues a policy directive that Boards “should aim to diversify their composition.” UTM is required to follow this guidance by assessing its current Board effectiveness, drafting an improvement plan, and formally reporting to the Minister.
By incorporating the goal of equitable education into the fundamental governance structure and requiring the inclusion of under-represented women on governing bodies, this policy ensures that a gender-equity focus is embedded at the highest level of institutional decision-making. UTM’s compliance with this Ministry-level Green Book directive demonstrates its adherence to a systemic accountability mechanism designed to enhance women’s entry and participation across the entire university system.
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