KUANTAN: New students experiencing financial setbacks to register at public higher learning institutions across the country should reach out to their respective university administrators.
Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said those facing financial hardship or from the Bottom 40 (B40) category can contact the university's Department of Students Affairs upon receiving their offer letters for admission.
"Be frank (about your financial situation), so that the public university administrators will be aware and can provide the necessary assistance. We do not want any students to be left out or choose not to register due to poverty.
"Poverty should not be used as a reason to postpone their studies as the ministry, state government and Madani government provide various schemes for new students. Sometimes the information (on assistance) does not reach them.
"The government has the Sulung programme (Sulung Student Development programme) to assist B40 students who are the first in their families to pursue tertiary studies and they will be exempted from paying tuition fees.
"There is also PTPTN (National Higher Education Fund Corporation) which offers loan advance payment amounting to RM1,500 to prepare students before enrolling in public universities," he told reporters after opening the 3rd Elsevier-Malaysian Technical University Network Symposium 2024 here today.
Also present was Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin
Meanwhile, Mustapha said the incident where a student used a sack to carry her belongings to register at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) recently should serve as an eye-opener to all quarters including B40 families.
"I have instructed UMS to look into the case. ...this is sad. However, it is one case that we noticed but based on my experience in the ministry or as a member of parliament in Sabah, there are many similar cases where students cannot afford and some are forced to give up their dreams to enter university.
"When we visit them (needy students), many of them shed tears as they do not know there are various schemes to assist them. Students who feel they cannot afford varsity fees should contact their respective university's administrators," he said.
On B40 students facing difficulty in travelling from their hometowns to register at public universities, Mustapha said the ministry would look into the matter on a case-by-case basis as students could get in touch with their respective member of parliament or assemblymen.
Yesterday, an image of student Rafida Zaiddin carrying her belongings in a sack to move into her dormitory at UMS caught the attention of Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek who arranged for financial aid and other assistance.