BAGAN SERAI: The joy of a teenager receiving an offer to continue her studies at university almost turned into disappointment when her family could not afford the registration and tuition fees.
However, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) stepped in and changed the fate of Nurul Amira Abdul Hamid, 18, when it provided financial assistance for her to follow the one-year Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Foundation programme and continue her studies with the Bachelor's degree in Science (Nautical Science and Maritime Transportation).
The youngest of three siblings said she had earlier planned to decline the initial offer to study because her family was facing financial difficulties as her father, Abdul Hamid Othman, 58, had health issues, while her mother, Asmah Che Ros, 53, was a housewife.
"After finishing SPM ((Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia), I worked at a goods store with a salary of RM1,300 a month to help my parents. I contacted UMT and informed them of my situation,and that I was unable to continue my studies due to financial problems.
"When they informed me that they could help, I felt elated and very grateful," she said when met by reporters at her home in Parit Jawa here on Friday (July 10).
The former student of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sri Kurau here, who obtained 3As in the SPM, said UMT helped secure the Al-Ikhlas Scholarship of RM500 in addition to other assistance to ease the burden of her tuition fees.
Nurul Amira thanked UMT for helping her, in addition to having already paid RM400 for the related fees.
Meanwhile, UMT vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Zamri Ibrahim said the university is taking a hands-on approach by meeting with students and families facing financial difficulties to ensure no student is left behind in continuing their studies.
"We take the responsibility to meet with students and parents. We also provided financial assistance and invited her to the campus because her family could not afford to send her.
"If any student cannot afford to pay the fees, come to the university first and we will help via various forms of assistance provided by the university," he said.
He said that they also provided living assistance throughout the study period so that Nurul Amira could fully focus on her studies.- Bernama
