USM gives 100 poor students a second chance

USM offers 100 places to poor students who appeal for places.

GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is offering 100 places for students from poor families who have made appeals to pursue their studies.

USM Vice-Chancellor Omar Osman said the university was also prepared to find sponsors to finance the undergraduates’ studies.

“We are aware that there are candidates who have been offered places but failed to turn up as they lack the means. They must be given a chance,” he told reporters after the welcoming and oath-taking ceremony by 2,919 new students yesterday.

He said USM had received about 7,000 appeals for application from students who had failed to gain places in public universities.

Nevertheless, the number in student intake has not been decided.

One such student was Nik Muhammad Mustaqim Zahari, 20, who said he had given up on continuing his studies due to family hardship and intended to seek employment with his STPM results.

“My father is a rubber tapper with unstable income while my mother is bed-ridden. I came here with the support and encouragement of my teachers,” said Nik Muhammad who achieved a CGPA of 3.25 in his STPM and will pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Translation and Interpretation.

Thanking USM for helping the poor, the Kuala Ketil youth added, “None of my family members had the opportunity to further their studies at tertiary level.”

Of the 21,186 students who applied for places in USM this year, only 4,083 were selected.

The number includes those at the engineering campus in Nibong Tebal and the health campus in Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

- BERNAMA