KUALA LUMPUR: Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir has instructed all university administrators to accept disadvantaged students and those from low-income families, including deferring their registration fees.
He also directed universities to facilitate early financial assistance through the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) for these students.
Zambry emphasised that he does not want to hear about potential students being unable to continue their education due to financial constraints.
"I come from that background, and I understand the struggles involved. I don't want this to be an excuse for not entering university.
"I have instructed universities to accept these students first, and then we will arrange PTPTN and other support accordingly.
"One of the approaches taken by PTPTN is to provide advance funding to allow students to register as new university students," he said in a video with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, which was posted on Asyraf Wajdi's Facebook today.
Asyraf noted that education was the key to transforming lives.
"A clear example we can see is the son of a fisherman from Pangkor Island, who went on to further his studies at a university in the United States. He was a graduate of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), and ultimately became a minister (referring to Zambry). Therefore, it is crucial to continue the pursuit of knowledge," he stated.