PENANG, 17 March 2026 – Building on last year’s Sedekah Ramadan initiative, USM Press (Penerbit USM), through its Sales and Marketing Section, is expanding the Pelita Ilmu programme by visiting several educational and welfare institutions across Penang.

Among the institutions involved are Yayasan An-Nahdhoh, Pusat Kecemerlangan As-Syafie, Pusat Pendidikan Al-Ikram, and Sekolah Tunas Bakti.

According to the Head of the Sales and Marketing Section at USM Press, Mohd Zaidi Abdullah, the contributions—mainly books—aim to broaden access to quality reading materials for students and residents of these institutions, encouraging them to spend their time in constructive and enriching ways.

“The books include titles on motivation, religion, language, and general topics suitable for both students and residents. We hope this effort inspires and nurtures their interest in reading, while supporting the institutions’ mission to shape character and intellectual growth,” said Zaidi.

He added that in line with the spirit of Ramadan—mindfulness, care, and sharing—the initiative highlights how offering knowledge can be a meaningful form of charity with long‑lasting benefits.

Meanwhile, Director of USM Press, Professor Dr. Goh Sang Seong emphasised that the programme reflects the Press’s ongoing commitment to use books as a bridge to knowledge for all levels of society.

“Through this small but significant effort, we hope to cultivate a stronger reading culture among the local community, nurturing a generation that is knowledgeable, open‑minded, and ready to compete in the future,” he said.

Goh also expressed hope that Pelita Ilmu will serve as a catalyst for more knowledge‑based initiatives in the years ahead.

Original Text: Mohd Zaidi Abdullah, USM Press/Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin/Photo: USM Press