by DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Jan 23: A group of 73 Dayak undergraduates from Universiti Malaya (UM) received financial assistance from Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Uggah Embas to help support them in their academic journeys.
Persatuan Almuni Dayak Universiti Malaya (PADUM) president Coolplay Nyipa presented the aid on behalf of Uggah to these students who have just started their academic journey in UM for the 2024/2025 session.
Coolplay said based on data from the university’s student affairs office, there are about 322 students who are currently enrolled in UM’s bachelor’s degree and Matriculation programmes.
From that figure, about 83 per cent are Dayak students from the B40 family.
He expressed his appreciation to Uggah and members of his association for their contributions to the education incentives, aid programmes, and other support programmes.
He added the students were very grateful for the assistance.
Meanwhile, UM Student Entrepreneurship & Development Centre director Associate Professor Dr Muhamad Shakirin Mispan said 67 per cent of these undergraduates were students from B40 group.
He said the minimum cost of living for each student is approximately RM1,000 per month including fees.
Deputy vice chancellor Professor Dr Zamri Radzi, in his speech commended the effort initiated by PADUM in assisting the undergraduates especially those from the B40 group.
He also talked about the possibility of collaborating with the association to organise events to introduce Sarawak culture, especially of the Dayak community, to public.
He hoped that other associations could come forward to assist students from B40 group.
Other guests at the event include Associate Professor Dr Julia Patrick Engkasan, Dr Pozi Milo, PADUM members, and other attendees. – DayakDaily
