This study examines the hostel facilities and living condition at Desasiswa Fajar Harapan, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and compares it with a similar hostel, Bank Rakyat Hostel at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) This involves a survey of 50 students at each hostel to get their feedback focusing on five areas (their room, bathroom/toilet, hostel facilities, hostel cleanliness and hostel security system) regarding their hostels.
Our findings found that generally USM students Deasasiswa Fajar Harapan are generally satisfied with their room except that the table lamp is not bright enough and the furniture is old. Regarding the bathroom/toilet there, it was found that students were not satisfied with the cleanliness in the bathroom and also some of the toilet flush system does not work. As for the hostel facilities, students complained that irons are not sufficient and the some washing machines are working properly (for example, water overflow). USM students were satisfied with the hostel cleanliness in that the cleaners were doing a good job and the corridors were kept clean except that rubbish bins were insufficient. Finally USM students at Desasiswa Fajar Harapan were satisfied with the security system there as there was regular fire drill and have sufficient CCTV coverage.
However, there is still room for improvements to the hostel facilities and conditions. By changing the table lamps regularly, ensuring that the flush system in toilet is working properly, providing more irons, rubbish bins, servicing washing machines regularly and setting up some emergency press button around the corridor can help to provide a conducive place for the students.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
This report provides the feedback from our recent (year 2012) survey on hostel facilities and living conditions at Desasiswa (hostel) Fajar Harapan at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and also compares it with that of Bank Rakyat Hostel in Universiti Utara Malaysia