Universiti Malaysia Sabah vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor.
KOTA KINABALU: Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) has allowed the deferment of registration fee payment for Crisnanalina Jumis, who is facing financial challenges in pursuing her higher education.
The 20-year-old from Kampung Dalamas, located in Sabah’s poverty-stricken Pitas region, has received an offer to study at UMS but fears she may have to forgo her dream due to her family’s inability to pay the RM3,000 registration fee.
As the Oct 14 deadline approaches, Crisnanalina has been tirelessly trying to apply for one-off financial assistance through the website https://sabah.gov.my.
Unfortunately, the poor internet connectivity in her village has hindered her from completing the application process.
Reacting to her plight, UMS Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Kasim Mansor said that he had instructed the Student Welfare and Finance Division of the UMS Student Affairs Department to contact Crisnanalina to facilitate her university admission registration.
"UMS is very concerned about the financial difficulties faced by Crisnanalina, and we will ensure she receives adequate assistance when registering at this university.
"The Student Welfare and Finance Division will also ensure that her needs are met while on campus, in addition to helping her apply for related financial aid," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Oct 9).
Kasim also assured new UMS students that they need not worry about paying university registration fees, as UMS has implemented various initiatives, including the option to defer registration fees, to ensure students can complete their registration without financial concerns.
"In addition, the university provides various forms of assistance that students, especially those from low-income backgrounds, can apply for, such as financial aid (MyCare), food baskets, and zakat contributions.
"The Student Welfare and Finance Division is also prepared to assist students in applying for educational financial aid, such as from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), as well as scholarships like State Government Scholarships, Yayasan Sabah Scholarships, Mara Scholarships, and others," he said.
Kasim added that these initiatives reflect UMS’ commitment to prioritising student welfare, enabling them to pursue higher education regardless of their economic background.
For any information regarding welfare assistance, please contact the Student Welfare and Finance Division, UMS Student Affairs Department, at 088-320 060 or email bkkp@ums.edu.my.
