Change of destiny course lauded

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ACCEPTED: Len hands a student an offer letter to undertake a pre-diploma course under the MDBA programme as (from right) Dr Abg Zainoren, Associate Prof Wan Akil, Ding, Associate Prof Dr Firdaus and Hamidah look on.

SARIKEI: Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Sarawak Campus is highly commended for embarking on the Pre-Business Diploma and Pre-Science Diploma programmes for less fortunate bumiputera students with fair (minimal) academic qualifications.

Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Promotion of Technical Education) Datu Len Talif Salleh viewed the two pre-diploma courses offered under UiTM Sarawak Campus’ ‘Mengubah Destini Anak Bangsa (MDBA)’ programme as golden opportunities to pursue higher education upon completion of Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM).

“The MDBA programme provides opportunity for these students to pursue tertiary education – especially those from the rural areas who have difficulty meeting the high entry requirements set by almost all institutions of higher learning,” Len Talif said when officiating at a UiTM educational carnival and divisional-level 1 Malaysia Patriotic Run at the Sports Complex here yesterday.

UiTM Associate Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah during a recent press conference said the MDBA programme was one of UiTM’s products promoted at the carnival.

According to him, Bumiputera students from families with monthly household income of RM2,000 and below who attained credits in Bahasa Malaysia (BM) and at least three related subjects would be considered.

To enter the Pre-Science Diploma, the minimum requirements are credit in BM; pass with good grades in Mathematics/Additional Mathematics and English; and pass in any one Science subject (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Additional Science).

The minimal entry requirement for the Pre-Business Diploma is credit in at least three subjects including BM, English and Mathematics/Additional Mathematics.

The MDBA programme which UiTM embarked on as its corporate social responsibility (CSR) since 2010 offered 500 such opportunities each semester to this category of students, Firdaus said.

Apart from enjoying free education, students under the MDBA programme are provided free food and accommodation as well as RM400 pocket money per month, he disclosed.

Those who passed the final examinations with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.0 at least will be considered for Diploma courses at UiTM; and those offered Diploma courses at UiTM are required to pay fees, for which they could turn to the National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) for assistance.

The UiTM recruitment team also processed applications for the MDBA programme during the carnival. Len handed over 29 applicants offer letters during the carnival yesterday.

Over 1,000 people turned up to witness various activities and programmes lined up for the carnival such as exhibition to showcase presentable work pieces created by its students, stage presentation, health screening, counselling service and Sports Science workshop.

Earlier, they participated in an aerobic exercise, 1 Malysia Patriotic Run and cycling event.

Among those present were Sarikei incumbent MP Ding Kuong Hiing, UiTM Sarawak Campus Deputy Rector Associate Prof Wan Akil Tuanku Abdullah, UiTM Associate Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah, UiTM senior lecturer Dr Abg Zainoren Abang Abdurahman, and Sarikei Deputy Resident (Development) Hamidah Halpi.