IPOH, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) will channel RM285,500 in Lestari Siswa MADANI aid to 571 Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) students to help ease their financial burden.
PTPTN chief executive Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid said the one-off RM500 assistance would be credited to each student’s account from Oct 2.
He said the initiative was part of PTPTN’s efforts to support students from underprivileged families and ensure that financial difficulties did not hinder their studies.
“PTPTN is pleased to extend Lestari Siswa MADANI aid to 571 UPSI students, involving a total allocation of RM285,500.
“Each student will receive RM500 in one-off assistance, with no repayment required,” he said at the aid presentation ceremony at the Sultan Abdul Jalil Shah Campus, UPSI, in Tanjong Malim, yesterday.
Also present were Perak PTPTN director Andi Nurali Mohamed, PTPTN Corporate Communications and Marketing Department senior general manager Wan Zawiah Wan Abu Bakar, and UPSI treasurer Mohamad Najib Mohamed.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Dasuki said PTPTN had allocated RM120 million for the initiative, with about 5,000 students approved for the aid so far.
However, he said only 1,500 had received the assistance to date.
In this regard, Ahmad Dasuki urged eligible students, particularly children of eKasih recipients who had yet to apply for a PTPTN loan, to seek further information and take advantage of the assistance available.
He hoped the Lestari Siswa MADANI aid would motivate students to strive for academic excellence, improve their families’ standard of living and contribute to society.
Ahmad Dasuki said PTPTN remained committed to supporting the national education agenda through various initiatives, in line with its motto, “Peluang Kejayaan Anda” (Your Opportunity for Success).
Meanwhile, UPSI deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Norkhalid Salimin said the assistance was especially meaningful for UPSI, particularly as nearly 11,000 of the university’s 30,578 students were from the B40 group.
He said this underscored both the trust placed in UPSI and its responsibility to safeguard students’ well-being throughout their studies.
“Student welfare is not a side issue for us. It is something we take seriously to make sure our students get the support they need throughout their three- to four-year journey here,” he said.
-- BERNAMA