SEREMBAN: Negri Sembilan-born students enrolling for a degree in science, technology, engineering and math-related programmes (STEM) at local universities from next year will be given a one-off incentive of RM1,500, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
The Mentri Besar said all this was an increase of RM500 from the existing amount.
"At present, students enrolling for any degree programme in local universities are given RM1,000 each by the state government.
"We have now decided to give an additional RM500 to encourage more students to pursue STEM-related programmes,” he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting at Wisma Negri.
Aminuddin said the students can apply for the incentive from the N9 Digital application.
He said the state government has also agreed to increase the monthly cash assistance given to undergraduates from B40 families from RM150 a month now to RM200 starting next year.
"This means they will receive RM2,400 a year under the programme managed by the Negri Sembilan Foundation," he said adding that those eligible can apply.
Aminuddin said to date, a total of 2,876 students had benefitted from the state government's one-off payment for enrolment into local institutions of higher learning.
These students come from households which have a combined income of RM4,000 and below.
Of these, 362 pursued a certificate-level programme, diploma (1,102) and degree (1,412).
Those pursuing certificate-level programmes are given RM500, diploma (RM750) and degree (RM1,000).
The monthly cash assistance is given to students from families with a combined income of RM5,000 and below.
"A total of 2,537 students pursuing diploma and degree programmes have benefitted from this incentive so far this year," he added.
