USM Inclusive Education Policy

“USM is committed to promoting equitable access to higher education through targeted admission strategies and inclusive institutional practices for marginalized, underrepresented, and disadvantaged groups. USM students shall not be denied access to education on the basis of disability, socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, displaced people/refugees, indigenous status, or geographic location.”

USM Inclusive Education Policy for Marginalized Students, Section 6.1, p. 2

The policy applies to all students, academic staff, administrative personnel, Schools, Centres and support systems, including student admission, learning and campus life (Section 3.0, p. 1). Marginalized and/or underrepresented students are defined by socio-economic status, disability, gender, displaced people or refugee status and indigenous status (Section 4.1, p. 1). The policy is reviewed every five years (Section 7.0, p. 3).

USM has an admissions policy that is non-discriminatory and explains the logic of its positive measures. Section 6.1 (p. 2) commits USM to targeted admission strategies and inclusive institutional practices for marginalized, underrepresented and disadvantaged groups, and provides that students shall not be denied access to education on the basis of disability, socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, displaced people or refugee status, indigenous status or geographic location. Section 5.1 (p. 2) sets the objective of equal access to quality education for all students. The policy builds on the constitutional principle that membership of the University is open to all persons irrespective of gender, race, religion, nationality or class.

Merit, potential and diversity

The Student Admission Unit of the Academic Management Division, Registrar’s Department, applies three principal criteria so that applicants are assessed fairly and transparently while opportunity is extended to people from different socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, gender and geographical backgrounds.

Positive measures for underrepresented groups

The targeted admission strategies in Section 6.1 are positive measures of the kind the policy intends: instead of treating every applicant’s circumstances as identical, USM recognises that some groups face entrenched barriers to higher education and gives them additional consideration or access pathways, while all applicants remain subject to the academic requirements of their programmes. USM directs these measures to:

• students from low-income households, particularly the B40 community;
• indigenous students, including Orang Asli communities;
• persons with disabilities (OKU);
• women and applicants from underrepresented backgrounds;
• senior citizens and applicants from diverse geographical and socio-economic backgrounds; and
• international students and students from developing countries.

One of these access pathways is USM+1, an alternative admission route that gives priority to applications from underrepresented groups, including senior citizens, low-income individuals and ethnic minorities.

USM has an anti-discrimination policy framework that covers the institution and its operations. It rests on the University Constitution and is applied through the Inclusive Education Policy and the University’s policies on harassment and on protection for those who report misconduct.

Constitution of Universiti Sains Malaysia

Section 8 of the Constitution (p. 103), headed “Distinction of race and creed prohibited”, provides that, subject to Article 153 of the Federal Constitution, membership of the University, whether as an employee, officer or student, is open to all persons irrespective of gender, race, religion, nationality or class. It prohibits any test of religious belief for admission to membership or for the award of a degree or diploma, and it prohibits limiting any fellowship, scholarship, exhibition, bursary, medal, prize or other distinction or award funded from the University’s general funds to persons of any particular gender, race, religion, nationality or class.

Inclusive Education Policy for Marginalized Students

Section 6.2 (p. 2) commits USM to a safe, respectful and welcoming learning and living environment, “with policies against discrimination, harassment, or exclusion”. Section 6.1 prohibits denial of access on the grounds listed above, and Section 3.0 (p. 1) extends the policy to all students, academic staff, administrative personnel, Schools, Centres and support systems. The policy is read together with the Persons with Disabilities Policy and the Sexual Harassment Policy (Disclaimer, pp. 3–4). The Persons with Disabilities Policy is USM’s commitment to give strong support and ensure that members of the university community with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as others (Section 4.0, PDF p. 12).

Policies on harassment and on reporting

The Sexual Harassment Policy (Dasar Gangguan Seksual) applies to the whole campus community and sets out how complaints are received, investigated and decided through the Sexual Harassment Core Committee (JTGS) and the Sexual Harassment Investigation Panel. The Whistle Blower Policy (Polisi Pemberi Maklumat) protects employees, registered students and visitors, contractors and other parties with a business or academic relationship with USM who report misconduct, provides for confidential reports to the Ombudsman or the University Legal Adviser (Section 3.1) and provides that a protected person is free from reprisal, threats, harassment or other adverse action (Section 3.3), with disciplinary action for anyone who retaliates (Section 3.4). The text and implementation of each policy are set out on its own policy page.