PEKAN, July 6 — The Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah today launched the construction of Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) Mawaddah Hostel, which is the first student accommodation to be built under the endowment concept in the country.
The hostel, to be built on a 0.8-hectare site at a cost of RM5 million, would provide residential facility to tithe-receiving students and orphans who could not afford to pay accommodation costs while studying at the university.
Tengku Abdullah, who is also UMP Chancellor, said the initiative taken by UMP with the cooperation of the Pahang Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MUIP) , was a good move to help the groups.
“The hostel can accommodate 220 students at any one time and it will be built under the concept of endowment with contributions from generous members of the public and certain organisations,” he said this in his speech at the launch of the project and UMP Pekan Campus Aidilfitri do, here today.
Also present were Tengku Puan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
The project is expected to be completed next year.
For UMP Faculty of Civil Engineering and Earth Resources first year student Mohd Farhan Mat Yusof, 18, the initiative taken by UMP and MUIP was like throwing a lifeline for poor students like him.
“I’m an orphan and my mother has been supporting me and my four siblings by running a small business in front of our house in Gua Musang. My father died of kidney complications in 2010.
“Indeed, the aid and assistance made available by UMP and MUIP will boost our spirit further to study hard and help others in the future,” he said.
For Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering student, Wan Nurul Syahirah Wan Lanang, 25, the construction of the hostel was very timely, especially with the rising cost of living.
“For the underprivileged students, having to pay accommodation fee of RM1,800 per semester is indeed, burdening. The construction of the endowment hostel is truly a noble effort as it also proves the concerns and commitment of the university and other parties to helping students with financial constraints,” she said.
Meanwhile, UMP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Daing Nasir Ibrahim in his speech said that the initiative to raise fund for the project was done intensively since 2016, including by introducing salary deduction among the UMP staff.
He said it was hoped that the project would not only be emulated by other universities, but also to be expanded seriously by the government to enhance public awareness on endowment and charitable initiatives in the country. — Bernama
