JOHOR BAHRU, 7 March 2015 – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has cut its maintenance expenditure as part of austerity measures taken due to the reduction of operating grant received.
The allocation received from the federal government for the year 2016 amounted to RM 415.6 million compared to RM 540.6 million for the year 2015 and RM614.9 million in 2014.
The Vice-Chancellor of UTM, Prof. Datuk Ir. Dr. Wahid Omar said the reduction of allocation grant requires that the university management take austerity measures in adjusting to the current situation.
“In 2016, the cost for the maintenance work of cleaning, landscaping, electrical and mechanical has been capped at RM 19, 930,876.71 compared to two years before where it reached up to RM26, 133.223.76.
He was speaking at the monthly assembly session held at the Senate Hall, UTM Johor Bahru campus.
Also present were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Prof. Dr. Rose Alinda Alias, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Prof. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof. Dr. Mohd Ismail Abd. Aziz and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Dr. Azlan Abdul Rahman.
Prof. Wahid also announced seven UTM financial initiatives, namely, Academic Programme, Consultation, Commercialization and R&D grants, Business Entity, Asset and Land Bank, Medical, Hostel and other student facilities, Endowment and Human Capital Development.
“These seven efforts are our new initiatives to generate income so that we will not rely solely on annual government grants,” said Prof. Wahid.
