Working it out: UTM students Muhammad Hakim and M. Rehmini both worked on the side to earn supplemental income to support themselves at university.
PETALING JAYA: Come convocation every year, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) student Muhammad Hakim Mohd Zain is a busy bee.
He picks up the robes for those graduating, irons and delivers them to earn a bit of money.
Muhammad Hakim is among the college and university students who are finding ways to stretch their ringgit to cope with the rising costs – from part-time jobs to cutting down on outings and even skipping meals entirely.
This comes even as the RM200 aid under the e-Tunai Belia Rahmah programme is being disbursed to eligible youths from today.
The 22-year-old student in Johor has so far taken up several part-time jobs to augment his pocket money.
“I receive an allowance of about RM5,000 each semester from my scholarship, which I use to pay my fees and monthly expenses.
“After paying my fees, I only have about RM3,000 left. Since each semester is about six months, this means that I have an average of about RM500 to survive on each month.
“The allowance is the only source of money I have as my parents are retired. It is not enough and that is why I take on part-time jobs to get some extra pocket money,” said the third-year petroleum engineering student in an interview.
In his part-time job under the Skim Pelajar Bekerja (SPB) initiative at his university, Muhammad Hakim gets some work experience as well as allowances by working with the university’s management.
Muhammad Hakim, who has three siblings, said his twin brother studying in Universiti Teknologi Mara in Perlis, is also working as a part-time food deliveryman.
“I have many friends who are taking up part-time jobs outside campus. Most of them are working either in the food and beverage industry or in food delivery,” he said.
Fourth-year UTM petroleum engineering student M. Rehmini, 23, volunteers for activities in the university, for which she is paid allowances for her time and efforts.
Rehmini, whose parents are also both retired, is dependent on her scholarship for her monthly expenses.
“The allowances I get from volunteering are used to supplement the money I receive from the scholarship,” said the student, who is an only child.
Rehmini was able to save some money during the Covid-19 pandemic when classes were carried out online.
“I was studying from home in my second and third years and did not need much money as I was living with my parents then,” she said.
The availability of Menu Rahmah Siswa at campus has also helped her.
“Luckily, we are able to get affordable meals on campus under Menu Rahmah. That has really helped a lot,” said Rehmini.
Also relying on Menu Rahmah on campus are second-year accounting student Ummi Syahirah Adizambri, 21, and third-year sport and recreation education student Siti Nur Khatijah Joeffendy, 25.
“This allows me to spend less than RM20 per day on food, barring any emergency,” said Ummi Syahirah.
Siti Nur Khatijah has taken up a job as a part-time barista despite her busy schedule as study materials such as textbooks and stationery are incurring additional expenses.
“The monthly RM500 allowance from my scholarship fund can be tight at times. With the part-time job, I can live more comfortably but at the same time, I am forced to be more diligent in balancing my study and work schedules,” she said.
Second-year student Nur Hafi Jumat said there had been instances when she worked up to 12 hours on weekends to earn the extra pocket money.
“Instant noodles, rice with minimal side dishes and fasting are the norm whenever I get tight financially,” admitted the 22-year-old Sabahan studying in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia.
Now that he is living outside campus, second-year actuarial science student Syafiq Supaizam has to spend close to RM20 on simple meals, which is double the amount he used for food previously.
“The extra pocket money from part-time work is necessary to help pay the rent.
“I do cook occasionally but this is few and far between as most of my weekdays are spent studying while I work on weekends,” he said.
Business administration student Syuhada Bukhari, 23, said she even has to resort to fasting occasionally to ensure that her allowances last until the end of the month, adding that she only has RM15 set aside for meals every day.
Her coursemate Ling Hung Er, 23, has had to forgo travelling back to her hometown during breaks given the high cost of tickets.
“As I live outside, my housemates and I tend to cook together to save on costs as well,” said the Sarawak native.
