I am voicing out a concern on behalf of all the residents of UBD The Core Residential College.

The Core is a residence for both local and international students and lecturers. Initially, the residents were only those from UBD and ITB.

Earlier this year, students from the Polytechnic School were allowed to stay at The Core. More students from the new intake also applied, causing a shortage of rooms.

The waiting list to reside at The Core has totalled up to more than 100 people. Due to a high demand for rooms, the management issued a notice to every apartment stating that residents have to pay December. fees to secure their rooms, even if on semester break. They reasoned that those on the waiting lists are willing to pay for December in order to get rooms for next semester.

As a resident since the opening of The. Core, this is the first time it has happened. Why must we pay when we are not staying during the break? Are we to pay for the three-month semester break as well? In my opinion, this 'solution' to room shortage does not make sense.

The number of rooms are limited to only 220 for each gender. They should only accept applications for the number of students they can accommodate. Shouldn't the responsible authority have built more rooms knowing that UBD and ITB have thousands of students? Needless to say, more new courses are available at UBD and ITB. Hence, more students will choose to study locally rather than abroad to save cost. Where are the students from Belait and Temburong District going to stay?

The management also needs to repair faulty facilities. I hope the relevant authority would look into this matter.