KOTA SAMARAHAN – Twenty-six students from local universities have received financial support through the Institute of Higher Learning (IPT) Admission Fund in a ceremony organised by the Batang Sadong parliamentary constituency.
The Monday event saw students from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) receive their allocations.
This distribution forms part of a broader initiative that will ultimately benefit more than 100 students from the Batang Sadong area.
The complete list includes 80 undergraduate students and 13 diploma candidates, with arrangements made for staggered presentations to those unable to attend the main ceremony.
Financial allocations were structured according to academic level, with degree students receiving RM500 each and diploma students obtaining RM300.
These funds are intended as initial assistance to help cover essential requirements as students commence their tertiary education.
Batang Sadong Member of Parliament, Rodiyah Sapiee, presided over the presentation ceremony. In her address, she expressed hope that the contribution would serve as motivation for recipients to pursue academic excellence and future success in their chosen disciplines.
She advised students, “Be proud of your family, don’t waste this opportunity and be the future of Batang Sadong. Use all government assistance through the Sarawak Foundation and Baitulmal as much as possible.”
The MP also proposed establishing more formal communication channels between students and her office.
This included the creation of an official WhatsApp group to facilitate ongoing dialogue between student representatives and parliamentary staff.
Rodiyah further emphasised the importance of maintaining personal and family reputation throughout students’ academic journeys.
She encouraged full concentration on studies while upholding high moral standards within the community.
“Focus on studying, take care of your family’s and your own good name, because I am confident that all of you can succeed,” she reiterated during the proceedings.
The ceremony included an informal discussion session where Rodiyah engaged directly with students about potential future programmes and activities.
This interactive segment allowed for exchange of ideas regarding how the parliamentary constituency could better support its student population.
Such funding initiatives reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to improving access to higher education, particularly for students from rural constituencies.
Financial barriers often present significant challenges for students pursuing tertiary qualifications.
The IPT Admission Fund represents one of several support mechanisms available to Malaysian students, alongside other state and federal assistance programmes.
These combined efforts aim to create more equitable educational opportunities across different socioeconomic backgrounds.
For the Batang Sadong area, such support is particularly significant in encouraging academic achievement and professional development among younger generations.
Educational attainment is widely recognised as crucial for social mobility and regional development.
The event concluded with photographs and continued informal conversations between the MP, her staff, and the student recipients.
Similar distribution ceremonies are expected to continue throughout the academic year as part of the constituency’s education support programme.
