USM PENANG, 27 March 2020 – Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is fully committed in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its students in all of its campuses, more so during the current Movement Control Order (MCO) period.

In order to cater to the students’ needs during this challenging time, the university is taking all possible measures in assisting and providing students with much needed resources.

USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Development Affairs and Alumni), Professor Dr. Aldrin Abdullah said the university has received a total contribution of RM528,000 from the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia, from which they are distributing a daily amount of RM15 to around 3,500 students on campus.

“The distribution comes in the form of coupons, and these coupons can be used at the convenience stores, cafeterias and pharmacies within USM.

“We also provide an e-counselling service to students who are facing difficulties and feeling the pressure during this MCO period, as they have to stay put and be in their rooms most of the times.

“Apart from that, 770 students are receiving ‘zakat’ contributions from the USM Islamic Centre,” said Aldrin in an interview with RTM at Desasiswa Restu here recently.

In the same interview, Abdul Basit Amran, a postgraduate student staying at Desasiswa Bakti Permai in the Main campus, said that as a student he understands the government’s and university’s instructions on making it compulsory for students to remain on campus.

Therefore, he and his friends are trying to help in terms of giving out free meals to students, through a business that he owns.

This initiative is meant to help lessen the burden of the university, as well as in assisting students who are in need during this quarantine period.

“Alhamdulillah, we have also received help in the form of funds from various resources such as the academics, colleagues and acquaintances. We use the money contributed by them to cook and distribute free meals to students who are staying on campus,” he said.

Abdul Basit also added that this will be going on throughout the MCO period, which will be until April 14th.

The MCO has been implemented by the Malaysian Government nationwide to contain the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus.

Currently, due to the MCO, there are around 3,500 students residing in 12 hostels at the three USM campuses.

Text: Nabella Ridhuan Lau