The Perak State Government yesterday launched the Perak Student Wellbeing (MPS) programme to assist students of public and private institutions of higher learning (IPTA and IPTS) in the state from experiencing food shortages. Caretaker Menteri Besar (MB), Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said that the initiative will benefit 45,000 students from four institutions in the state.
Part of the Prosperous Perak Plan 2030, the four institutions that are part of the programme are Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) and Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP). Moreover, the students that will benefit from the programme involve the asnaf (tithe) group and B40 households.
As reported by Bernama, the Perak MB said that under the MPS programme, each eligible student will receive an e-voucher worth RM150 each month. The e-vouchers can be redeemed through the ‘Smart Kotak’ or Smart Box application on their smartphones at the kiosk set up at their respective institutions.
The programme kicked off at USAS yesterday with an RM300,000 allocation as a start-up fund from donations from state government-link agencies and companies. Saarani further elaborated that the programme, graduates would be given the opportunity to become vendors, in addition to undergoing a month-long entrepreneurship training before choosing a site and business kiosk that will be provided at selected campuses.
The Perak MB asserted,
“Syarikat Kotak Global Sdn Bhd is collaborating with Yayasan Perak with the support of all GLCs (government-linked companies), including the State Agricultural Development Corporation (SADC), Perak Menteri Besar Incorporated (MB Inc) and Perak Water Board (LAP), to contribute funds for the supply of nutritious food.”
Furthermore, students only need to redeem through the Smart Kotak application to purchase food at the kiosk run by entrepreneurs from the universities involved. Saarani said that if the vouchers were given physically, students might feel awkward and insecure about using them, hence the decision was made to distribute using e-vouchers instead. He also hoped that the contribution would continue to reach all the students involved.
So, what do you guys think of this initiative by the Perak State Government? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Also read: “UiTM is for B40” – M’sians Condemn Students From T20 Households For Enrolling in UiTM
