PerantiSiswa: 50,667 applications approved for students in northern states

BALIK PULAU: A total of 50,667 applications received under the Keluarga Malaysia Student Device Programme (PerantiSiswa) from students of higher learning institutions (IPTs) in the northern zone were approved out of 87,222 applications as of yesterday.

PerantiSiswa is a government initiative to assist students from the B40 group to gain digital access to study materials.

Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said out of the figure, a total of 9,001 applications were from students of public universities, private IPTs, polytechnics and community colleges in Penang, Perak (17,967), Kedah (14,913) and Perlis (8,786).

She said this in a statement after attending the handing over ceremony of devices to the students of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UNIMAP), Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Arau, UiTM Merbok, UiTM Permatang Pauh, Politeknik Balik Pulau, Politeknik Seberang Perai and Penang branch Cosmopoint College held at Politeknik Balik Pulau here today.

She also launched the state-level 2022 Keluarga Simpan SSPN tour and handed over SSPN Prime Savings Account contributions during the programme.

Noraini said the Keluarga Simpan SSPN initiative was aimed at helping asnaf (tithe recipients) students in terms of their education and as an encouragement for them to start saving.

She said under the programme, a total of 17,800 asnaf students from 178 areas in 12 states will receive tithe contributions from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

"Contributions are in the form of an SSPN Prime Savings account involving a total allocation of RM1.78 million," she added.

In Penang the programme would benefit 1,300 asnaf students from 13 areas with a total contribution of RM130,000, she added.

-- BERNAMA