B40 STUDENT WITH 4.00 CGPA OFFERED TO STUDY AT UUM TISSA UNDER SULUNG 2.0 PROGRAMME

UUM ONLINE: Pendang – Ms. Nur Adyranna Aressa Ramli from Kampong Charok Kudong in Pendang was pleasantly surprised when the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Prof. Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan visited her at her grandmother's house on Friday afternoon.

"Even more surprising was the Vice-Chancellor’s presence with the Dean of Student Affairs, Department of Student Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dr Massudi Mahmuddin.

The both of them brought me the exciting news that I have been selected as the first student from this university for the SULUNG 2.0 programme," she said in the meeting.

The elder of the two siblings expressed her immense joy for two reasons. Firstly, she would be able to pursue her studies at the nation's number one university under the age of 50 according to the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2023 as well as being selected for the SULUNG 2.0 programme.

According to Ms. Nur Adyranna Aressa, her cumulative grade point average (CGPA) has facilitated her enrollment in the Bachelor of Accounting programme at the Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz School of Accountancy (TISSA) at UUM for the 2023/2024 session, commencing on 10 October 2023.

"I will study hard and repay the support and care provided by my mother, father and grandmother who raised me," she said.

In the meantime, her father Mr. Ramli Mohd Abu who is self-employed and her mother, Mdm. Salwa Wahab, a housewife, expressed their gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor for not only visiting their home but also delivering the exciting news.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr Mohd Foad expressed that the purpose of his visit was to personally meet and see the preparations being made by the incoming students who will be enrolling in October.

"Since Nur Adyranna Aressa fulfils the necessary criteria to be selected and offered for the SULUNG programme, which is designed to support families from the B40 category. Consequently, this visit holds the potential to deliver positive outcomes for this family," he said.

According to Prof. Dr Mohd Foad Sakdan, a total of 388 B40 students from diverse racial and backgrounds will be chosen to take part in the SULUNG 2.0 programme at UUM. This programme will comprise of 188 new students and 200 existing students.

Under this programme, each student will receive a funding amount of RM4,998 for the duration of their six semesters of study.

He reiterated that the programme welcomes applicants from all academic disciplines at the undergraduate level.  However, admission is subject to evaluation and confirmation by the Department of Student Affairs, which includes a comprehensive review of the applicant’s chosen field of study.

Commenting further, he stated that the programme is an initiative introduced by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) aimed at offering opportunities and resources for pursuing higher education to academically outstanding individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds within the B40 category.

"Among the benefits that they receive are the B40 Special Admission route, exemption from tuition fees as well as soft-skill development as well as academic support and counselling," continued Prof. Dr Mohd Foad.