OVER TO YOU: Chin (standing, fourth right) handing over a mock cheque to Khairuddin for a sum of RM70,000 under the 1IPTA 1Menteri programme.
KUCHING: Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui yesterday handed over a grant amounting to RM70,000 to Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) under the ‘1IPTA 1Menteri’ Mentor Programme Research Assistance Fund.
The contribution will go towards students who are conducting research projects that fall under the umbrella of Chin’s ministry.
Last year, Chin gave Unimas RM130,000 to kick start the programme and this has resulted in at least five projects currently being studied for viability to qualify for the grant money.
“The five projects include studying the potential of peat soil as an energy source for domestic application, low carbon dioxide emission from cement and concrete, wastewater treatment system for sago effluent, solar irradiation estimation model for Sarawak and a prototype development of wind energy system for rural application,” said Chin.
When speaking to reporters yesterday after presenting the 1Malaysia Student Discount Card (KADS1M) to newly-enrolled Unimas students, Chin also said that a few more projects are being proposed.
STUDENT DISCOUNT CARD: A section of the more than 4,000 new students of Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) in Kota Samarahan show the 1Malaysia Student Discount Card (KADS1M) which they received yesterday. Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui handed over the cards that aim to help reduce the financial burden of tertiary education students. – Bernama photo
“If the project falls under my ministry and we feel that it is worth pursuing, we will think about making the funds available to assist the student researchers,” he said, adding that this fund is merely one of the available options for students to seek funding for their project.
“The researchers have to be pro-active in looking for funding.”
Unimas vice-chancellor Prof Dr Datuk Khairuddin Ab Hamid added that the fund is unique because financial assistance is usually channelled to the lecturers and not the students.
On the KADS1M, Khairuddin said that while most of the participating merchants are off campus, he wanted to encourage shops and businesses within the campus to participate so students do not have to go far to enjoy the card’s benefits.
He also said that with 14,000 students enrolled, Unimas holds a high purchasing power.
Earlier in the ceremony, Chin presented the KADS1M to 4,268 newly enrolled students at Unimas. The card aims to help reduce financial burdens of tertiary education students nationwide.