KOTA KINABALU: Women make up a whopping 67 per cent of the new intake for Universiti Malaysia Sabah's (UMS) 2024/2025 academic session.
UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor said from the total, 72 per cent are from Sabah, underscoring the university's focus on local talent.
"We believe in providing the necessary support to ensure that all students can thrive in their academic pursuits," he said during the new students AkuJanji pledge-taking ceremony at the varsity here today.
Present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and UMS board chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan.
To ensure the well-being of its students, Kasim said UMS has established 10 welfare initiatives through the Student Welfare Trust Fund, benefiting 1,877 students with more than RM572,000 in assistance.
UMS, he said, has also introduced the SULUNG 1.0 programme, where nine selected students will receive comprehensive financial support, including tuition and living expenses.
"This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on our students," he said, adding that 293 more students have been granted assistance under SULUNG 2.0, with a total allocation of RM1,382,955.
The university also welcomed 15 international students from Japan, Pakistan, China, Brunei, and Indonesia, further enriching its diverse educational environment.
The new students began reporting on 28 Sept at various locations across UMS campuses.