UMP, Etiqa help 200 asnaf children receive school necessities

A total of 200 primary school students from 11 schools around Pekan involving children from low-income families (B40) were delighted to receive new clothes and school necessities during the Back to School 2019 programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) in cooperation with Etiqa Family Takaful Berhad and UMP Foundation in Pekan on 19 November 2019.

In attendance to present the contribution was the Dean of Student Services, Department of Student Affairs & Alumni, UMP, Assoc. Professor Dr. Mansor Sulaiman and Chief Executive Officer of Etiqa Takaful Berhad Eastern Region, Tengku Saifuddin Tengku Zainal Abidin at the Multipurpose Hall, UMP Pekan Campus.

Also present were Pro-Registrar Abd. Rahman Safie, and the Director of the Centre of Industry and Community Network (ICoN), Associate Professor Ir. Dr. Nurul Hazlina Noordin.

The Back to School 2019 programme was UMP and Etiqa Family Takaful Berhad’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative to aid with school necessities for students in need.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Mansor, the organisation of the programme was the result of close cooperation between UMP and Etiqa to reinforce the strategic network the two parties have built.

“UMP is always open and ready to explore the area and potential for strategic collaboration with Etiqa. This includes sharing scientific and technical expertise of the university with a focus on Etiqa’s core and affairs whether in the academic field or in corporate social innovation (CSI).

“Within this alliance, social engagement initiatives will continue to be laid out to ensure that the general public, especially citizens in Pahang, can benefit from the university’s existence.

“University management always welcomes any intent from whichever department, agency, government linked companies, private bodies, public organisations or individuals to collaborate in various forms for public benefit,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Etiqa Takaful Berhad Eastern Region, Tengku Saifuddin Tengku Zainal Abidin stated that this contribution proceeds directly to UMP.

“Education is fundamental towards changing an individual’s life to higher education; indeed it is important in moulding their life in the future.

“Etiqa has previously contributed RM130,000 as Student Zakat aid in 2019 and RM120,000 in 2018 to UMP Foundation funds.

“Starting from 2012, the estimate of Etiqa’s contribution to UMP is around RM360,000 via various programmes that benefit those in need,” he said.

As for the recipient of the welfare aid, a Year 5 student from Sekolah Kebangsaan Ubai, Muhammad Haziq Firdaus Muhammad, 11, shared his joy with his friends after receiving brand new school clothes and school supplies and cannot wait to begin the new session on 2 January next year.

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Faculty Of Chemical And Process Engineering Technology