KOTA KINABALU: A total of 159 needy students of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sabah received one-off financial aid of RM500 each to ease their financial burden.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir (pic) said the RM79,500 allocation was disbursed under the ministry’s PTPTN Madani Education Assistance Programme.
“This initiative is to ensure that all eligible students have access to quality education regardless of financial background, in line with the ministry and PTPTN’s commitment to enhancing higher education in the country.
“The aid reflects our concern for students needing financial support to pursue their dreams,” he said during the presentation ceremony held at the university yesterday, Bernama reported.
Zambry said the financial aid was contributed by various parties through PTPTN.
He also urged parents to open National Education Savings Scheme (SSPN) accounts for their children’s future education needs.
“Parents can open an account as soon as the child is born and start saving gradually. Over time, the amount will grow and can later be used to fund higher education,” he said.
PTPTN, in a statement issued following the event, said that since the education assistance programme’s introduction in 2022, a total of RM981,000 had been disbursed to benefit 1,962 students across 16 public universities.
