SINTOK: Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) has lauded Higher Education Minister Datuk Zambry Abdul Kadir's directive for university administrators to assist disadvantaged students and those from low-income families pursuing tertiary education.
UUM vice chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan, said students from poor families enrolling into the university for the October intake are not only getting a postponement in paying fees and other charges, but they are also getting a RM500 cash aid.
"A total of 166 students have been identified in the category, and some of them have received cash aid before arriving for registration on Oct 1 while their family will be getting a 'Rahmah' basket each.
"UUM is also offering free fee financing throughout the studies for the first child from a poor family furthering studies at university, under the Sulung 3.0 Programme," he said in a statement today.
He added that UUM is also providing a 'food bank' for needy students to ensure that no student starves because of not having pocket money.
"Other than that, free laptops and other forms of suitable assistance will continue to be a priority for the Students' Affairs Department.
"We don't want any family to be discouraged from sending their children to further studies in UUM due to financial constraints," he said.
Yesterday, Zambry 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.
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