The establishment of the DSU coincides with the directive from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) to establish such a unit as stated in Phase 2 of the “Action Plan to Improve Teaching and Learning of Disabled Students at Institutions of Higher Learning”. The Action Plan consists of four strategic objectives: 

i) accessibility & support system for teaching and learning,

ii) enhancement of quality of life,

iii) creation of disabled-friendly environment & services, and

iv) career development programmes for disabled students.

The DSU is under the purview of the Office of the Deputy Rector (Student Development and Community Engagement) and is currently headed by Professor Dr. Ruzita Mohd. Amin, who is also a Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics, Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences, IIUM. The DSU works closely with other offices in ensuring the implementation of the IIUM Disability Inclusion Policy and the Garis Panduan Perlaksanaan Dasar Inklusif di IPT.

The DSU also act as Advisor to the IIUM Ibn Ummi Maktum Club (I-MaC), which is the society of disabled students of the University. Together, both the DSU and I-MaC complement each other in ensuring the needs of disabled students, in particular, are attended to.