USM PENANG, 13 January 2026 – Offering assistance to students in need has always been the norm at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). Such practices would also include contributions from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), industry players, community volunteers, and government agencies.

Assistance would be extended to those from the ‘asnaf’ and low-income (B40) families in the form of basic necessities and daily essentials so as to ensure that they could continue their studies at the university.

By channelling such assistance through the efforts of the MADANI government, under the initiative of Dapur Siswa MADANI headed by the Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the allocation of RM15 million has been set aside to ensure that the respective students nationwide would have access to an adequate supply of food.

In support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: Zero Hunger, which emphasises ending hunger and improving access to food, the Cakna Siswa: Care and Share Bites 3.0 programme, organised by the USM PERKIM (Pertubuhan Kebajikan Islam Malaysia) Secretariat, was launched to provide assistance to students in need.

By providing relief to the students in need, these efforts not only foster a caring culture and social responsibility but also align with the principles of Student for Society (S4S) through social work, humanity-driven initiatives, and student wellbeing while simultaneously advancing sustainable development and nurturing a generation of students who are mindful and community-oriented.

Held at the Dewan Pembangunan Siswa 2, Kompleks Cahaya Siswa, USM on 9 January 2026, the programme that was led by Programme Director, Nur Husna would benefit 20 recipients, assisted by 21 PERKIM Secretariat members who were involved in the distribution process.

Present to extend the assistance were Advisor 1 PERKIM USM 2025/2026, Associate Professor Dr. Mohd Nizam Sahad; Advisor 2 PERKIM USM 2025/2026, Associate Professor Dr. Suhaila Abdullah; as well as USM Student Representative Council (MPP) for Welfare and Health, Muhammad Akmal Arif Rusdi.  

Original Text: PERKIM Secretariat, USM & Media and Publication Unit, BHEPA, USM/ Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/ Photo: PERKIM Secretariat, USM