GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is ready to support financially challenged students in pursuing their education, ensuring their aspirations for higher learning are met.
USM Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed said that to align with the Higher Education Ministry's goal of nurturing the nation's top talents, the university has implemented various forms of assistance to ease the financial burden on affected students.
"One such assistance is for students to enrol at USM without any payment through the SULUNG 3.0 Student Development Programme.
"Additionally, for incoming students in financial need, they can register first without payment and can pay their fees in instalments, according to their capabilities," he said today (Sept 19).
At the same time, Abdul Rahman said, USM would also provide other forms of assistance through the Student Welfare Fund, USM Zakat Fund and others.
"For students facing difficulties in finding financial resources to continue their studies at USM, they are urged to promptly contact the Student Welfare Unit, Student Affairs and Alumni Division (BHEPA) USM to enable assistance to be provided," he added.
On Tuesday, the story of a young woman who turned down a university offer to care for her visually impaired mother caught the attention of Human Resources Minister Steven Sim.
Dharsini Subramaniam, 21, was offered a place to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Software Engineering at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia (UTeM) in Melaka, but declined due to her family's financial hardship.
Dharsini had to work part-time in a mini-market, earning RM1,500 a month, which she used to support her family while saving little by little.
Determined to help the outstanding student, Sim, who is Bukit Mertajam member of parliament, visited Dharsini and gave her the UTeM admission form.
He also surprised them by saying he would cover all varsity costs for Dharsini.