Blessing in disguise for Siti Hanisah, a recipient of UMP’s MyGift programme

It was to be one of the happiest days of her life and a day that should be celebrated with the beloved ones but Siti Hanisah Syed Hassan came alone to register as a new student in Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) on September 2, 2019.
She took the bus all the way from Gerik, Perak as she did not want to add extra burden to her parents.
Her parents, Halimah Othman is a cleaner while Syed Hassan Azhari Syed Mohd Hasim is a rubber tapper and both suffer from high blood pressure. Siti Hanisah, 27, is the eldest of seven siblings.
Armed with only RM300 in her pocket, Siti Hanisah was determined to travel alone to UMP so as not to burden anyone and register as a student for the bachelor’s degree programme in electronic engineering technology.
“It would cost a lot if my parents were to accompany me. So, I took the bus.
“I had also contacted UMP a few days before the registration to delay payment for my tuition fees until I receive the Perbadanan Tabung Pendidikan Tinggi Nasional (PTPTN) loan. I only have RM300, my savings from working as a clerk and a tailor,” said Siti Hanisah who studied at Perak Matriculation College.
Throughout her trip, she could not help but worry on how to pay for her tuition fees but her fears faded after she got a call from the university saying that she was among the students to receive RM1,000 that would cover her early registration fees.
“I was so grateful and had not expected it at all. UMP had even arranged for a transportation from the Darul Makmur Bus Terminal to the university. The university also allowed me to stay at the residential college a day earlier than the registration day. I was overwhelmed by all these kind gestures.
“I just wanted to say my heartfelt thanks to UMP for all the assistance that they have rendered to me.
“I did not expect UMP to show such great concern to its students by providing all kinds of assistance,” she said.
Siti Hanisah also shared the good news with her parents.
Siti Hanisah added that it was everyone’s dream to come together with their families and see the place where their children would stay and study but she could not have that as her siblings were still schooling.
“I am willing to do anything and make sacrifices for my family. I am sad to see my friends who could hug their parents before they leave but I must stay positive and work hard until I have the scroll in my hand,” she said.
She added that it would be her greatest wish to bring her family for the graduation day.
Siti Hanisah is one of the 69 new students who received the education aid initiative under UMP MyGift programme.
UMP welcome contributions from all parties including UMP staff, students, alumni, individuals and corporate bodies, be it locally or abroad, so education will continue to flourish in the university.
Contributions can be made through the MyGift portal at www.ump.edu.my.