Kuala Terengganu:Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) has lauded Budget 2027 for its efforts to bolster student welfare through several initiatives aimed at addressing various student needs.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, UMT Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Suriyani Muhamad highlighted the initiatives announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, emphasizing their potential to alleviate the financial burden on university students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, allowing them to concentrate on their education.

Among the initiatives, the expansion of the Dapur Siswa MADANI programme to polytechnics and teacher education institutes (IPG), with a funding allocation of RM20 million, stands out as a key measure to protect student welfare. At UMT, food assistance is provided through this programme to support students in need, especially those from the B40 economic group, ensuring they do not face hunger.

The budget also includes a RM19.1 billion allocation for the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) and an additional RM800 million for campus infrastructure. These allocations reflect the government's commitment to enhancing the quality of higher education. Efforts to speed up student accommodation projects, in collaboration with government-linked investment companies (GLICs) such as the Vista Kampus project with a RM750 million investment by the Retirement Fund (Incorporated) (KWAP), aim to address accommodation shortages.

Additionally, the budget proposes deferring National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayments for borrowers earning up to RM2,500 a month and setting a minimum repayment of RM50 a month for those earning between RM2,500 and RM3,000. This initiative is expected to provide financial relief to fresh graduates as they begin their careers.