KUALA LUMPUR: More than 12,000 undergraduates from Universiti Malaya (UM) have benefited from the #DIY4UM initiative of RM300 in cash aid for purchase of everyday essentials and learning equipment.

The cash aid was distributed through the Touch 'n Go' e-wallet in three equal payments in November and December last year.

In addition to the contribution, the first 11,000 students who utilised the cash aid were also entitled to a further RM10 cashback when they spent a minimum of RM20 using the Touch 'n Go eWallet at MR D.I.Y. Group stores, online or the MR D.I.Y. mini programme which is available on Touch 'n Go eWallet.

The initiative, which is a joint collaboration between MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad (MR D.I.Y.), Touch 'n Go Group (Touch 'n Go) and UM, saw Malaysia's largest home improvement retailer spending over RM3.6 million to help the undergraduates prepare for their return to campus.

MR D.I.Y chief executive officer Adrian Ong said the company was aware that university undergraduates were among the hardest hit by the pandemic.

"We realised, as students started to return to campus, many needed help to ensure they were properly equipped with everyday essentials, learning materials, and personal protective items. To make the back-to-campus transition as smooth and worry-free as possible, we decided to launch the #DIY4UM initiative.

"We were supported in this initiative by Touch 'n Go, who helped manage the distribution of the aid via the Touch 'n 'Go e-wallet platform. Our thanks and appreciation go out to the team from Touch 'n Go, led by Group CEO Effendy Shahul Hamid, for working tirelessly with our team to make the cash distribution process a smooth and effective one," he added.

Meanwhile, Effendy Shahul said they were pleased to be apart of the programme and hoped it would motivate the UM undergraduates to strive for further heights in their learning achievements.

UM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Hamdi Abd Syukor thanked MR D.I.Y. for its donation, saying that it enabled the students to purchase the essentials they needed to start the new semester.

"RM300 might be a small amount to some, but to our 12,000 undergraduates, it was truly a blessing. Touch 'n Go' made the claim process hassle-free for our students, and with the additional promotions, the assistance was very meaningful. Once again, thank you MR D.I.Y and Touch 'n Go," he said.

UM student's representative, Wan Afiq Ikhwan Wan Alias said it was challenging for some of the students to prepare for the new semester and the #DIY4UM assistance came at the right moment and lit helped to ease their burden.

"We are grateful for the help given by MR D.I.Y. as it helped us to buy what we needed for our education. The stressful part is over; now it is time for us to focus on our studies," he said.

-- BERNAMA