KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry is allowing students and families affected by the Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) bus tragedy time to become emotionally ready before commencing counselling sessions.
Although the counselling team is prepared to start anytime, many families are still waiting for their loved ones to recover in the Intensive Care Unit and wards, said Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
"We are ready, but we also have to consider the readiness of the families as we don’t want to disturb their emotions right now.
"We also received a report that some counselling students from UPSI are using this opportunity to carry out practical counselling for their friends, as some affected students feel more comfortable talking to their peers.
"Through this incident, UPSI counselling students can provide encouragement and positive talk while gaining practical knowledge," she said.
On June 9, 15 UPSI students were killed in the crash involving a bus and a multi-purpose vehicle in Banun, near Tasik Banding, approximately 57 kilometres from Gerik, Perak.
Nancy spoke to reporters after officiating the Wanita Gig and Business In Technology (Wanita GIG@BIT) programme on Thursday (June 12).
The programme is an initiative by the Women Development Department (JWP) to open up digital economic opportunities for women, reduce the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while supporting more inclusive national development.
"We have many economic empowerment programmes, and Wanita GIG@BIT is one of them. We will have more programmes involving women in income generation while helping them acquire skills.
"There are 350 participants this year, with a focus on reskilling and upskilling in the latest technologies, including artificial intelligence, for women who want to lead in entrepreneurship," she said.
Throughout this year, the JPW has planned several other programmes with strategic partners, including eKelas Usahawan @JPW, STEM Graduate Empowerment into the Workforce Programme, Digital Photography and Video Workshops, as well as Basic Generative AI and Cybersecurity Awareness Programme in collaboration with Maxis Berhad, Canon Marketing Malaysia, Mereka Academy, and the International Federation of Women and Commerce Industries Malaysia (IWFCIM).
The ministry hopes Wanita GIG@BIT will increase the participation rate of the female labour force in the digital field and further empower women in the country.
