By: Nur Syamila Kamarul Arefin
Photo: Muhammad Izrul Abdul Jabar
SERDANG, October 5: Coming from a B40 family did not discourage Siti Nur Izatul Mohd, 19, from continuing her medical degree at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) with government sponsorship.
"I am grateful for being from the B40 group. My father and mother are very poor, and if not for the Siswa Sulung Keluarga Malaysia Development Programme (SULUNG), it would be quite burdensome for my family to cover the cost of my studies, especially in this field that I am applied for.
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| Siti Nur Izatul Mohd |
"Therefore, I will study hard to become a doctor after my studies to help my family. My father is a security officer, my mother is a cleaner, and I am the eldest child determined to help them," she said.
UPM is involved with the special pathway of the Siswa Sulung Keluarga Malaysia Development Programme (SULUNG) by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE).
"This programme is offered to 10 students from B40 families who excel in their studies and are the first child in their families who successfully enter university at the bachelor’s degree level.
"UPM will provide sponsorship and a mentoring programme to ensure the ten selected students succeed in their studies with excellence and secure employment for them," she said.
Meanwhile, a student who has been successfully sponsored by this programme, Nur Adila Md Yusnizam, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering student, is the first child in her family to continue studying at the degree level at UPM.
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| Nur Adila Md Yusnizam |
"I am the third child of five siblings who continued to study at a higher level. I am very grateful to be given the opportunity to further my study at UPM and hope to help my family escape poverty," she said. - UPM
