Kuala Nerus – Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) continued its commitment in taking care of the asnaf students’ welfare by distributing zakat aids under the Dermasiswa Al-Ikhlas programme to 650 new students who recently registered at UMT.

The contribution amounting to RM325,000 was presented in a special ceremony held at UMT in conjunction with the Minggu Jalinan Mesra event for the new 2024/2025 session intake.

UMT Vice Chancellor Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim in his speech said the zakat aid totaling RM500 for each recipient comes from zakat contribution by corporate agencies.

“The contribution is meant to lessen the students’ financial burden and help them begin their studies at UMT more confidently and worry-free,” he said.

He also praised the effort taken by UMT’s Sultan Mahmud Islamic Centre to increase the zakat fund each year.

“The continuous efforts carried out by UMT’s Sultan Mahmud Islamic Centre are the C to Z campaign and roadshows in the Klang Valley have led to an increase in the collection of zakat by as much as 100 percent each year.

“This year alone, UMT has distributed zakat fund totaling RM1.26 million to 2,429 asnaf students.

UMT has also introduced various initiatives relating to asnaf development, including AsnafXChange, Asnaf+, and AsnafPro.

“When the AsnafPro programme was first implemented, the recipients were two students, but now 13 underprivileged students have benefitted from the programme, and it will be expanded to include more students in need”

“We want to ensure UMT students do not face financial difficulty so they can become excellent”

Meanwhile, one of the zakat recipients, Nur Najmil Basyirah Ramli, 20, expressed her relief when she found out about the good news.

“Quite a sum of money is needed to buy needed items when entering universities. With this aid, I am relief as I can use the money to buy the items needed so I can start a new life at the campus”, said the Bachelor of Maritime Management student.

Also present at the zakat presentation ceremony were representatives from corporate agencies that have contributed to the zakat fund.

In line with the aspiration of the government to ensure all students are able to receive education, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and UMT offer various forms of special aids to those in need.

Earlier during the oath taking ceremony involving the student intake for the 2024/2025 session, Prof. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri reminded students to maintain their etiquette as students with high quality and integrity.

“As students, it is their responsibility to comply with the acts, constitutions, statutes, rules, and disciplinary matters enforced at this university. However, these are not meant to curtail your freedom and movement as students.

“University students should do everything in a disciplinary manner. Only disciplined students will be able to manage their lives well”, he said.

Published by:

Corporate Communications Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu