PTPTN LAUNCHES LESTARIPENDIDIKAN TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION FUND

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 (Bernama) -- The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) today launched the LESTARIPendidikan campaign to ensure higher education remains inclusive, sustainable, and relevant for future generations.

PTPTN chairman Datuk Seri Norliza Abdul Rahim said the campaign, which carries the message of “Empowering Citizens through Higher Education and Financial Responsibility”, seeks to strengthen the borrowers’ social and financial responsibilities in ensuring the sustainability of the nation’s education fund.

“The core message of this campaign is to empower the people through higher education while assisting borrowers to fulfill their PTPTN repayment obligations more effectively.

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“Higher education is a platform to uplift the standard of living, and this can only be realised if the education fund remains sustainable,” she said during the campaign launch at Menara PTPTN, here today.

She explained that loan repayments allow PTPTN to assist 450,000 existing borrowers and 150,000 new borrowers annually, requiring over RM3 billion a year.

She said as of September this year, PTPTN’s outstanding loans amounted to RM11.32 billion, involving over 1.25 million defaulters.

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Norliza said to address this issue, the LESTARIPendidikan campaign includes initiatives designed to ease borrowers’ burdens through more flexible and proactive approaches, such as #PTPTNBolehBincang and #PTPTNSediaBantu.

“#PTPTNBolehBincang enables borrowers to discuss or negotiate flexible repayment plans, including loan restructuring, based on their financial capability.

“Meanwhile, #PTPTNSediaBantu facilitates borrowers by providing various repayment channels that are easier, faster, and more secure. It also helps borrowers with any inquiries or matters related to loan repayments,” she said.

She added that PTPTN is committed to assisting borrowers to settle their education loans more effectively through both initiatives.

Norliza stated that the LESTARIPendidikan campaign is anchored on four key elements: Transformation, to raise awareness about PTPTN’s role in facilitating access to higher education; Aspiration, to support students in achieving their highest education dreams; and Realisation, to ensure continuous education opportunities through responsible loan repayments by borrowers.

“Innovation, on the other hand, involves the introduction of applications such as myPTPTN and myWaqafPTPTN to simplify payment and loan management processes,” she said.

At the same time, she urged all parties, including alums, non-governmental organisations, and community leaders, to help disseminate positive messages about the LESTARIPendidikan campaign, thereby ensuring that the higher education system remains robust and inclusive in line with the nation’s aspirations.

-- BERNAMA