Government Reaffirms UiTM’s Bumiputera Development Mandate, Says Zambry

KUALA LUMPUR, AUGUST 2026 — The Malaysian government has reaffirmed its commitment to defending and strengthening Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) as a major institution supporting the educational, professional and socioeconomic advancement of the Bumiputera community.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the mandate and identity that have shaped UiTM since its establishment will continue to be preserved by the government. However, he stressed that safeguarding the institution should not simply mean maintaining its existing position, but also ensuring that it continues to grow, improve and remain relevant in a changing world.

Zambry delivered the remarks during the UiTM 2026 Royal Address Ceremony at Dewan Konsert Seri Budiman in Shah Alam on Friday. The event, themed “Kecemerlangan Institusi Pendidikan Teras Pembangunan Negara”, was attended by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, and Tengku Permaisuri Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.

According to Zambry, the government’s commitment to UiTM goes beyond protecting its historical mandate. The university must also be strengthened to meet emerging challenges in higher education, technology, industry and the global economy.

One of the strategic initiatives already introduced is the UiTM Rationalisation Coordination Committee (URCC), which is tasked with examining several areas considered important to the university’s future direction. These include academic development, research, innovation, governance and talent development.

The committee, chaired by Tan Sri Idris Jusoh, is also looking at strengthening industrial networks, expanding UiTM’s international presence and improving the university’s readiness to respond to technological disruption and future economic changes.

These efforts are intended to ensure that UiTM remains competitive while continuing to fulfil the role for which it was established.

Zambry said the government wants UiTM to continue developing as a leading institution capable of producing Bumiputera professionals while maintaining high standards of excellence and expanding its contribution to Malaysia and the international community.

The announcement comes as UiTM marks its seven-decade evolution from 1956 to 2026, under the anniversary theme “Legasi Ilmu, Aspirasi Unggul.”

Zambry said the university’s achievements over the past seven decades should not only be celebrated as part of its history, but should also serve as a responsibility to build an even stronger institution for future generations.

The focus, he added, should now extend beyond evaluating how far UiTM has progressed. Greater attention must be given to determining where the institution should go next and how it can respond effectively to changes affecting higher education and the wider economy.

UiTM has long occupied a significant position in Malaysia’s higher education landscape, particularly through its mandate to expand educational opportunities and develop Bumiputera professionals. The latest government assurance indicates that this fundamental role will remain intact as the institution enters its next phase of development.

The government’s approach is centred on maintaining UiTM’s established identity while simultaneously modernising its capabilities.

Areas such as research and innovation, stronger industry partnerships, internationalisation and talent development are expected to become increasingly important as universities face rapid developments in artificial intelligence, digital technologies and changing workforce requirements.

The URCC initiative is therefore positioned as part of a broader effort to ensure UiTM can adapt to future demands without losing the mandate that has defined the institution for decades.

As UiTM celebrates 70 years of development, the government has made clear that preserving the institution’s Bumiputera-focused mission will remain a priority. At the same time, the university is expected to strengthen its academic quality, governance, innovation capacity and global connections as it prepares for the decades ahead.

The message from the government is that UiTM’s next chapter will involve both continuity and transformation — retaining the foundation upon which the university was built while ensuring it remains capable of producing competitive professionals and contributing meaningfully to Malaysia’s future development.