MORE than 12,000 undergraduates have had a more comfortable transition back to on-campus learning thanks to a home improvement retailer’s initiative.
A joint collaboration between MR DIY Group (M) Bhd, Touch ‘n Go Group and Universiti Malaya (UM), #DIY4UM saw the retailer distribute over RM3.6mil to help UM undergraduates prepare for their return to campus.
Under the initiative, each undergraduate received RM300 in cash aid to be used for the purchase of everyday essentials and learning equipment.
The funds were distributed through Touch ‘n Go e-wallet in three equal payments over November and December last year.
At a ceremony held to mark the conclusion of the #DIY4UM aid programme, MR DIY chief executive officer Adrian Ong said, “Our founder, Tan Yu Yeh, is an alumnus of this university, and over the years, has helped us initiate a number of different programmes to benefit the university, its students and the community it serves.
“His wish and our vision has been for these efforts to spur other organisations to help Malaysians push through these challenging times.
“We also know that one of the groups hardest hit by the pandemic has been university undergraduates.
“We realised, as students started to return to campus post-pandemic, that many needed help to ensure they were properly equipped with everyday essentials, learning materials and personal protective items.
“To make the back-to-campus transition as smooth and worry- free as possible, we decided to launch the #DIY4UM initiative,” he added.
Ong said, “We were supported in this initiative by Touch ‘n Go, who helped manage the distribution of the aid via the Touch ‘n ‘Go e-wallet platform.
“Our thanks and appreciation go out to the team from Touch ‘n Go, led by group chief executive officer Effendy Shahul Hamid, for working tirelessly with our team to make the cash distribution process a smooth and effective one.”
In addition to the contribution, the first 11,000 students who utilised the funds were entitled to a further RM10 cashback when they spent a minimum of RM20 using the e-wallet at MR DIY stores, MR DIY online at www.mrdiy.com.my as well as the MR DIY mini programme available on Touch ‘n Go eWallet.
Ong also thanked the administrative team from Universiti Malaya for ensuring eligible students registered for the aid programme.
Commenting on the aid programme, Effendy said, “We’ve had multiple strategic collaboration initiatives with MR DIY and it’s gratifying to see it expand into non-commercial areas.
“We are so pleased to be a part of this particular programme and I hope this motivates UM undergraduates to strive toward greater heights in their education.”
Welcoming the significant initiative, Universiti Malaya’s vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Syukor said, “On behalf of UM, we thank MR DIY for its generous donation that has enabled our students to buy the essentials they need before starting the new semester.
“RM300 might be a small amount to some, but to our 12,000 undergraduates, it was truly a blessing.
“Touch ‘n Go’ made the claim process hassle-free for our students, and with the additional promotions, the assistance was very meaningful.”
Also applauding the initiative was Universiti Malaya student representative Wan Afiq Ikhwan Wan Alias, who said, “It was challenging for some of us to prepare for the new semester.
“The #DIY4UM assistance came at the right moment.
“We are grateful for the aid given by MR DIY as it helped us to buy what we needed for our education.
“The stressful part is over; now it is time for us to focus on our studies.”
The #DIY4UM initiative is one in a series of collaborations between MR DIY and Universiti Malaya.
One such initiative is its “DIY Made Simple” competition for secondary schools, run in collaboration with UM’s Community and Sustainability Centre (UMCares) to promote sustainability awareness among schoolchildren.
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