What Sabah students in p’sula hope for
Published on: Sunday, December 01, 2019
KOTA KINABALU: Susidised flight tickets, assistance and more facilities for Sabah students who wish to continue their education in Peninsula Malaysia, a yearly transport allowance for ease of travel while in the peninsula and a broader programme of studies to choose from.
These were some of the aspirations of Sabah students in the peninsula at a get together organised by the State Education and Innovation Ministry and Yayasan Sabah at the Tanjung Puteri Convention Hall, Persada Johor International Convention Centre, Johor Baru, recently.
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The students were from different parts of Sabah and pursuing various studies at higher learning institutions there.
Currently, 87 students are attending 66 courses at public institutions, while 134 students taking 93 courses at private ones and fully sponsored by Yayasan Sabah Group.
The Meet and Greet event with Sabah students in Peninsular Malaysia was among programmes designed to fill up their education holidays with engaging and rewarding activities, as well as being the best platform for Sabah students in peninsula to get acquainted and build friendships. The programmes also serve as a platform for students to come closer and meet with the State leaders and the Management of Yayasan Sabah Group. Present were Sabah Education and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Yusof, Yayasan Sabah Director Datuk Haji Jamalul Kiram bin Datuk Haji Mohd Zakaria.
Synonymous with the vision of the Yayasan Sabah Group organisation – A Dynamic, People Oriented, Committed and Caring Organisation, it aimed to provide students with the opportunity to strengthen the relationship between leaders and students in opening up the role of both parties.
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“The students and leaders meet and greet programme provided an opportunity for Sabah students to get acquainted with each other despite studying at different institutions of higher learning. It feels like being at home because you can communicate through our local Sabah dialect. This can also reduce the longing for our family back home,” said Heriniah Elson, 20, from Kota Kinabalu, a Diploma in Investment Analysis student at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Segamat Campus, Johor.
“My hope is for the Sabah Ministry of Education and Innovation to provide subsidised flight ticket assistance to Sabah students who wish to continue and pursue their education in Peninsular Malaysia. A lot of our students could not return home due to costly air tickets,” she said.
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She thanked the Yayasan Sabah Group for organising such an event with the state leaders and hoped it would continue in the future. “I will continue to strive to ensure that I succeed in my studies to contribute to the State,” she said.
Mohd Al Amin bin Ahmadul, 19, from Sandakan, who has a Diploma in Accounting from Mara Professional College in Bandar Penawar, Kota Tinggi, Johor, also reacted positively in to the event.
“This programme is very beneficial to students. We were touched when the Minister and Management of Yayasan Sabah Group came down and took the initiative to hear the issues raised by the students,” said Mohd Al Amin.
“Such programmes need to be extended to IPTA and IPTS throughout Peninsular Malaysia and improved further in terms of programme implementation. And to include more dialogue sessions and activities that can benefit students,” he said.
“I also hope that the State Government and Yayasan Sabah Group can provide more facilities for Sabah students by providing annual education transportation allowance. I believe that having such facilities can inspire the students in Peninsular Malaysia including even those in Sabah in being motivated to continue their studies,” said Mohd Al Amin.
At the same time, he hoped that the public and private Institutions of Higher Learning in Peninsular Malaysia as well as in Sabah would be able to further their level of education by offering broader programmes of studies.
Gloria Anastasia Henry Dusin, 23, from Manggatal who is studying Rehabilitation Education at the Teacher Education Institute, Temenggong Ibrahim Campus, Johor, felt the programme was beneficial as the students were able to recognise Yayasan Sabah Group’s staff of its Kuala Lumpur branch office, for any emergency assistance in the future.
According to Gloria, the programme needs to be announced and informed early so that more can attend and hoped the State Government would hold them frequently.
“I also hope Yayasan Sabah Group can provide more opportunities and education facilities at a higher level that are truly recognised,” said Gloria.
Mohd. Shafiq bin Marijin, 26, from Sandakan who is pursuing a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Technology at Technical University of Malaysia, Melaka (UTeM), felt that event could bring unity and enhance the spirit among Sabah students in peninsular malaysia.
“I hope every student can be financially supported to further their studies as there are many youths in Sabah who are unable to continue their education due to financial constraints,” he said. According to him, Yayasan Sabah Group needs to focus on those who are less capable of pursuing further education as the majority of education-job focused areas are mostly in Peninsular Malaysia. The cost of further education in Peninsular Malaysia is much higher than in Sabah.
Marc Schwyser Marmis, 19, from Penampang, a student in the field of Science Mathematics at MARA University of Technology (UiTM), Segamat Campus, Johor, said: “Such programme is quite touching for the students. It has had a positive impact on the students and staff of Yayasan Sabah Group for the opportunity to get to know each other.
“With this programme, we as students also know that our well-being is valued and taken care of by Yayasan Sabah Group. We truly appreciate the attentiveness, support and encouragement of the State leadership as well as from Yayasan Sabah Group. This programme has provided us with an unforgettable experience.”
“This kind of programme needs to be continued every year as I see it can assist and help the students to address any issues that they are facing as well as to gather information on the role of Yayasan Sabah Group in the field of educational development, such as sponsoring education funding for the IPT’s students.”
“I would also like to suggest that this programme be held along with the parents of the students because our parents need to be aware that the current government is very concerned about the education and future of children in Sabah in particular.
“Besides, Yayasan Sabah Group should provide exhibitions on contributions in education, guidance and counselling sessions as well as future employment opportunities as a complement to the programme, “he added.
He also hoped that the Sabah Government could provide full scholarships and raise the level of awards given to students pursuing further study abroad locally and internationally.
“If the State Government provides such an opportunity, I am confident that the current level of student education will improve and the students will help Sabah to grow more in line with other states in Peninsular Malaysia, he added.
Erabiatul Adawiyah Awiss binti Juharin, 22, from Beaufort and studying Malay Language subject (primary school) at the Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Tun Hussein Onn, Johor, agreed the programme is excellent and benefitted to Sabah students studying in Peninsular Malaysia.
Such programmes should continue to show support and concern for Sabah students who are pursuing their studies in Peninsular Malaysia.
“I truly hope Yayasan Sabah Group can provide more educational opportunities for Sabah students to pursue higher education and to ensure that the welfare of students is maintained from time to time,” she said.
Erabiatul also hoped the Sabah Government can provide an opportunity for the Sabah graduates to find a workplace as a contribution to the State of Sabah according to their respective fields of employment.
For Nadiana binti Jairim, 23, from Tenom who is currently pursuing her education in Bahasa Melayu (Primary School) at the Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Tun Hussein Onn, the programme can provide benefits to students from Sabah studying in Peninsular Malaysia.
According to her, such programmes should be continued so that every Sabah student feels being cared for while continuing their education at any IPTs. “I hope that the State Government will be able to provide excellent opportunities for every graduate to venture into the relevant field of work,” she added.
Agreeing with the opinions of other students, Jannatul Najiha bint Nazib, 21, from Kunak, also said that such a programme would be an excellent place to continue in the future as it brings together Sabah students from various institutions of higher learning throughout Peninsular Malaysia to get acquainted. The University of Technology Malaysia (UTM) Johor student of Bachelor in Accounting added, “This programme is exciting and provides information that is not yet known among students. It is an opportunity for us to voice our views on improving the quality of education of Sabah students in the peninsula.”
“Information on organising the programme needs to be expanded so that all students know about the benefits of participating in the programme. Greater participation will enliven the achievement of the event,” she said.
She also hoped the welfare of the students from Sabah would be taken care of. “I hope the State Government cares and will assist in solving the problems of Sabah youths in Peninsular Malaysia regardless of finances and other educational facilities, especially as age has shifted to the digital age where everyone is racing to move forward,” she explained.
For Rusdya Nadhirah bint Anoh, 23, from Sandakan who is pursuing a Diploma in Construction Engineering Technology at Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara, Sri Gading, Batu Pahat, Johor, the programme is an excellent help to IPTA and IPTS students. “Such programme should continue to foster friendships among other IPT’s students. Besides, the Sabah Ministry of Education and Innovation can enhance the efforts of providing educational opportunities to Sabah Bumiputera students,” she added.
“As a Sabah native, I sincerely hope that the Sabah State Government will take care of the status of students from low-income families and provide financial assistance in the form of scholarships, charity and so on. Besides, increase the guarantee of job opportunities upon graduation from any public or private higher learning institution.
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