Over 2,400 UiTM Sabah students receive RM300 aid
KOTA KINABALU (July 10): A total of 2,477 students from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sabah received a one-off cash assistance of RM300 under the SENTOSA initiative, a move by the State Government aimed at easing the financial strain on Sabahans pursuing higher education locally.
The aid, officially known as Sumbangan Mahasiswa Pengajian Tinggi Dalam Negeri Sabah (SENTOSA), is part of a RM6 million state allocation to support some 20,000 Bumiputera students currently enrolled at institutions of higher learning across Sabah.
Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun, who presented the aid at Dewan Al-Bukhari, UiTM Kota Kinabalu, said the initiative demonstrates the State Government's firm commitment to investing in human capital through education.
'Education is the bedrock of a progressive society. It shapes a generation that is not only skilled and knowledgeable, but one that upholds values and integrity. The State Government remains steadfast in our resolve to ensure no Sabahan is left behind in the national education agenda,' he said in his speech.
Masidi revealed that SENTOSA is one of 13 education-focused aid programmes introduced this year, involving a total allocation of RM75.5 million. Other forms of assistance include school maintenance funds, student excellence awards, exam preparation support, flight subsidies for students studying outside Sabah, and digital device aid.
He also noted that in a separate effort, RM125 million has been allocated under the Biasiswa Kerajaan Negeri Sabah(BKNS), benefitting 4,170 students. Meanwhile, Yayasan Sabah has set aside RM11.25 million for scholarships, study loans and education grants, supporting a further 1,879 students across the state.
Calling on stakeholders to strengthen their cooperation, Masidi emphasised the need for continuous support to ensure Sabah's young generation are not only equipped for academic success, but empowered to shape the state's future.
The SENTOSA aid distribution ceremony was jointly organised by the State Secretary's Office (Special Tasks) and UiTM Sabah Branch.
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