UMPSA opens more help desks for prospective students, easing university admission process

PEKAN, 19 September 2024 – Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) is extending support to students in need of financial assistance and other resources to facilitate the admission process, ahead of the registration day set for September 28.

According to UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, the university and the UMPSA Foundation are always dedicated to helping students in need, particularly at the start of their academic journey.

"For students who are in need, they will receive Early Education Incentive Assistance from the UMPSA Foundation and the Perkasa Siswa Foundation, amounting to RM1,000, as preparation before entering university, along with Laptop Assistance to aid their studies.

"In addition, students can also benefit from the Perkasa Siswa Foundation Care4U Assistance (RM200) and the National Equity MARA Educational Foundation Sponsorship (RM2,500).

"Furthermore, students have the opportunity to receive the B40 TVET Bursary Assistance from the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), which covers the entire cost of tuition fees and provides a student allowance throughout their period of study at UMPSA," he said.

Additionally, a total of 150 outstanding diploma, matriculation, polytechnic, Vocational College, and Higher Certificate of Education Malaysia (STPM) students, selected to continue their studies at UMPSA, will receive the UMPSA Foundation's Excellence Incentive for this year's academic session.

So far, a total of 162 prospective students from B40 families have been identified.

Out of this number, 30 students facing extreme financial hardship were contacted by the Student and Alumni Affairs Department (JHEPA) and were assisted through the Ziarah Prihatin Programme to assess their registration needs, including transportation to the university.

He also reassured parents from B40 families that they need not worry about their children's financial support, as UMPSA, through the UMPSA Foundation, offers various assistance programmes, including Excellence Incentives, UMPSA Scholarships, Laptop Assistance, UMPSA Campus Pantry, Student Kitchens, Zakat Assistance for Muslim students, Self-Support for Non-Muslim students, Disaster Assistance, and other forms of support for students in need.

"In addition, the Firstborn Student Development Programme (SULUNG) also assists the first child in B40 families who successfully continue their studies at the university.

"UMPSA students can also use the e-Kasih coupon feature in the Adab@UMPSA application to access free meals at selected cafeterias on the Gambang and Pekan campuses.

"This initiative is aimed at students from the B40 group and others who face financial difficulties, to the point where they may not have enough money for food," he added.

UMPSA has allocated RM1.8 million for various initiatives, particularly focused on student welfare.

For the record, as of June, 70 percent of UMPSA students come from B40 families, and at least 1,200 students have benefited from financial aid in the form of student zakat, UMPSA Foundation scholarships, collaboration partner bursaries, and education and excellence incentives.

By: Mimi Rabita Abd Wahit, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)