Kuala terengganu: A total of 1,903 asnaf students at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) have benefited from RM570,000 worth of food vouchers contributed by the Terengganu Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIDAM) through its Dapur MAIDAM initiative to help ease the cost of living.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UMT Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof Dr Mohd Izani Mohd Zain stated that each student received a one-off amount of about RM300 credited at the beginning of the year through the university's dedicated application. The flexibility of the voucher usage allows students to spend up to around RM10 per day, although it is entirely at their discretion. Some students have managed to stretch the vouchers for up to a year by redeeming them only when necessary.

Prof Dr Mohd Izani highlighted that this was the third time since 2023 that UMT had received such funding from MAIDAM. In addition to the food vouchers, asnaf students also received RM100,000 from Pusat Ihsan UMT to empower them through various student development programmes this year. These initiatives aim to provide opportunities for asnaf students to participate in international programmes, including the Global Student Leadership Summit in China, with full sponsorship provided.

The planned initiatives are part of the university's approach to nurturing holistic graduates who excel academically while actively engaging in co-curricular and leadership activities. By participating in these programmes, the university aims to equip asnaf students with experience and self-confidence, preparing them to be well-prepared and competitive in their future endeavors.