IPOH, Aug 17 (Bernama) -- Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has taken proactive measures to address concerns over the assistance required by its prospective student Lovely Sabana Augustine.
Its deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin said the university took the matter seriously and had obtained information directly from the prospective student to determine the appropriate assistance required.
“UPSI always gives due attention to the welfare of prospective students and students, especially those from low-income families
“In Lovely’s case, the review confirmed that she is a prospective UPSI student, and the university had taken early steps to ensure that the assistance required for her to begin her studies was addressed,” he said in a statement today.
Norkhalid said the review also found that Lovely Sabana was from a low-income family, a factor that was taken into consideration in monitoring her welfare as a prospective student.
Norkhalid said Lovely Sabana, a Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) leaver, received an offer on Aug 15 to pursue the Bachelor of Education (Moral Education) with Honours programme at UPSI and is scheduled to register on Sept 12.
He said Lovely Sabana had informed the university that she had made the necessary preparations for registration and had RM1,500 to cover registration and study-related fees, while a laptop was identified as her main need to support her studies and academic assignments.
Norkhalid said UPSI was also informed that an individual had offered to donate a laptop to the youngest of four siblings before her registration at the university.
In this regard, he said UPSI would continue to monitor her progress and coordinate the necessary support to meet her welfare and educational needs.
“UPSI will also coordinate appropriate assistance with Yayasan Perkasa Siswa to meet Lovely Sabana’s initial needs,” he said.
In addition, Norkhalid said Lovely Sabana was also being considered for the Sulong Programme, which was part of UPSI’s efforts to support students in need and help them continue their studies.
He said the socio-economic circumstances of Lovely Sabana’s family, underscored the need for continued attention to her welfare and educational needs, including after she registers and begins her studies at UPSI.
According to Norkhalid, Lovely Sabana lives with her mother, Mek Kenui, in Tumpat, Kelantan.
Her mother works as a school cleaner, earning about RM800 a month, and is also a member of the Malaysian Volunteer Corps (RELA), while her father, a former soldier, died in 2017.
Earlier, the plight of the daughter of a Kadazan-Siamese couple, who was seeking RM2,232.35 in assistance to register for studies at UPSI next month, went viral on Facebook.
-- BERNAMA