THURSDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER – 89 new students of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) 2016/2017 Session under the 40 percent lowest household income (B40) received welfare assistance in a function held at the Galeri , this morning.

The welfare assistance was presented by the Patron of Yayasan Nur Jauhar, Toh Puan Datuk Seri Panglima Norlidah Tan Sri Datuk RM Jasni.

Vice-Chancellor of UMS, Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah in his speech during the ceremony urged the students not to make poverty a stumbling block in pursuing their studies, instead they should take the opportunity of continuing their studies at UMS as a basis to improving their lives and that of their families.

“Let those challenges be an encouragement to succeed in life, do not easily give up when we are down in the dumps, with determination, we will surely come out tops.

“UMS will always try its best to help you achieve what you dream of.  Therefore, focus on your aim, be determined, and make your parents proud to see you coming out successful,” he said.

He also hoped that the contributions given would accommodate their daily expenses while waiting for the study loans or scholarship approval.

“Use the financial assistance wisely and spend prudently for your studies,” he reminded.

UMS through its “MENITI” programme, an abbreviation of “Transforming Ideas Into Reality”, offers 100 places each year since 2013 to students who live in the interior of Sabah and whose household family income is under the Poverty Line Income (Pendapatan Garis Kemiskinan) at RM1,170.00 in Sabah. - MA (fl)