SARAWAK STUDYING MECHANISM TO CHANNEL AID TO B40 STUDENTS AT IPTA NATIONWIDE

KOTA SAMARAHAN, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- The Sarawak government is studying the best mechanism to channel annual financial assistance of RM15,000 to students from low-income families (B40) studying in public higher education institutions (IPTA) nationwide.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that currently, the assistance is only channelled to students studying in state-owned universities.

He said the initiative aims to ensure that every Sarawakian has the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial constraints, especially for students from underprivileged families.

“For Sarawak students studying in IPTA nationwide, the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government will study methods to channel similar assistance to them.

"However, at present, taking into account the situation faced by Sarawakian students studying at public and private higher learning institutions (IPTA and IPTS), such as Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), the government is providing Special Financial Assistance for Sarawak Students of RM1,200 per year," he said in his speech at the 29th UNIMAS Convocation ceremony here today.

Previously, the Sarawak government announced that it would provide free higher education starting next year at four state-owned universities, namely Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, Curtin University Malaysia, University of Technology Sarawak, and i-CATS University College.

In addition, the state government has also introduced an allowance of RM15,000 per year to eligible students, namely those with a per capita household income of below RM1,500, through the free higher education scheme.

-- BERNAMA