5.6.1 : Policy of non-discrimination against women
UTM Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has a formal, institution-wide Policy of Non-Discrimination Against Women embedded within its "Polisi Diversiti dan Inklusif UTM" (UTM Diversity and Inclusion Policy), which was officially adopted in 2019. This policy serves as the foundational guarantee that the university operates an environment free from discrimination (bebas daripada diskriminasi) for all individuals interacting with the University.
The policy is explicitly comprehensive in its scope and definition:
- Protected Status: The policy's definition of Diversity (Diversiti) specifically recognizes gender (jantina) and explicitly includes women (wanita), as well as pregnancy status (taraf mengandung), as protected categories.
- Legal Basis: It grounds its principles in national law by referencing the principle of Equality (Sama Rata) under Article 8 of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia.
Crucially, the policy includes an explicit and structural commitment to gender equality in all core university functions. It mandates "Kesaksamaan dalam pendidikan, penyelidikan dan pekerjaan tanpa mengira jantina atau kaum" (Equality in education, research, and employment regardless of gender or race).
Furthermore, the policy creates an active framework to eliminate bias in practice:
- Prohibition of Harassment: University members must ensure "tiada diskriminasi, buli, gangguan dan keganasan (harassment and violence) dalam kampus" (no discrimination, bullying, harassment, and violence on campus).
- Employment Practices: The University commits to continuous review of practices in recruitment, promotion, performance management, talent management, and training to actively avoid discrimination and bias. This commitment is reinforced by the associated "Polisi Kesamarataan Dalam Perkhidmatan," which supports equity in hiring and selection while rejecting any intention of discrimination.
This formalized policy demonstrates that UTM has institutionalized the principle of non-discrimination, ensuring that gender equality is not merely an aspiration but a governed, legally grounded, and operationally monitored reality across all its academic and employment endeavors.
Source :
Equality in Service Policy
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) enforces a formal, legally-backed Policy of Non-Discrimination Against Women through its Pekeliling Pentadbiran Bil. 25/2017: Polisi Kesamarataan Dalam Perkhidmatan (Administrative Circular No. 25/2017: Equality in Service Policy). This policy is the foundational mandate ensuring gender equality across all human resource operations.
The policy’s commitment is legally grounded in Article 8 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination against any citizen based solely on gender (jantina) in employment and law. The UTM policy explicitly aims to manage human resources "tanpa mengira jantina" (without regard to gender), defining equality as the avoidance of discrimination against staff based on this specific attribute.
To enforce this non-discrimination mandate operationally, the policy requires specific actions across all employment functions:
- Recruitment and Promotion: UTM management is mandated to consider equality during selection and appointment and must "menolak apa-apa tujuan diskriminasi" (reject any purpose of discrimination) throughout the process.
- Remuneration (Penggajian): Management must ensure there is "tiada niat diskriminasi" (no intent to discriminate) against staff regarding pay, applying equality based on qualifications and merit.
- Compliance and Oversight: All staff must adhere to compliance rules related to anti-discrimination (antidiskriminasi) and workplace harassment (gangguan di tempat kerja). Furthermore, the policy requires internal audits and governance checks on hiring, remuneration, and performance processes to ensure continuous adherence to its principles.
By adopting this comprehensive and monitored policy, UTM demonstrates a structural, systemic commitment to guaranteeing that women are legally protected and provided with equal opportunity in every aspect of their service and career within the institution.
Source :
