UMS's MENITI programme provides second chance to B40 students

 By Olivia Miwil - October 26, 2021 @ 5:02pm

UMS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Taufiq Yap (second left) handing over offer letter to a student. -Pic courtesy of UMS

KOTA KINABALU: For Siti Muhajirin Hannasi, it was a dream come true when she was given a second chance to gain a tertiary education.

This was when Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Taufiq Yap handed over a letter enabling her to pursue studies at the tertiary level.

The prospective undergraduate who will join the university's marketing programme said it was always her dream to further her studies at the university.

"I was so disappointed with the result from the UPUOnline system, which indicated that I failed in the university application, but this second opportunity has excited me.

"I am so happy with the offer and will work hard in following the footstep of my brothers and sisters who furthered their studies at the university level," she said.

The MENITI programme by UMS provides a second opportunity for students from B40 families who failed in their applications to get into the university via UPUonline.

"I am so happy with the offer and will work hard in following the footstep of my brothers and sisters who furthered their studies at the university level," she said.

The MENITI programme by UMS provides a second opportunity for students from B40 families who failed in their applications to get into the university via UPUonline.

Yap said the programme is part of UMS's social corporate social responsibility since 2013 to provide opportunity education for students.

"This year, there are 201 B40 students from different districts who were offered to study in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Forestry Tropics and the Academy of Arts and Creative Technology (ASTiF).

"UMS sees higher education opportunities for children from B40 families as being necessary so that they can study hard to change their fate and that of their families and get out of the trap of poverty," said Yap who presented letters of offers to candidates at their respective homes in Papar, Membakut and Beaufort districts recently.

The Vice-Chancellor said the candidates listed in the MENITI program were those who achieved the minimum qualification requirements to further their studies at a Public University but failed or dropped out in the UPUOnline system because of competition from peers with better academic results.

During the programme, UMS also presented food baskets to the students' families besides the offer letters.

"UMS is very concerned with the situation of the families of prospective students, especially in the Covid-19 pandemic season, as this greatly affects the people's economy. Therefore it is hoped that the contributions presented can ease the burden of students' families," Yap added.