By Auni Zarifah
KUALA LUMPUR, 28 January 2021- Internet access and devices such as laptop are a must for students to undergo remote learning but the high cost must be borne by the students in order to fulfil the needs.
Realising this issue, Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr. Noraini Ahmad, in her statement has announced efforts by her Ministry to ease the burden faced by university students.
Around 195,028 data plan and 3,733 devices have already been distributed to B40 students since the launching of Data Plan Package and Devices on 30 October 2020 until 31 December 2020. In the meantime, MOHE is in the progress of acquiring 3,773 laptops and desktops for distribution among B40 students.
MOHE has also negotiated for the data plan with telco companies and with electronic device suppliers for discount package as one of the initiatives to ease the burden of remote learning among students.
The data plan offered is as follows:
- RM 30 for Celcom EL30
- RM 35 for Celcom XPAX 35
- RM 30/ RM40/ RM 50 for Maxis Hotlink
- RM 28/ RM 35 for Digi
- RM 59 for UNIFI Mobile (post-paid)
- RM 35 for UNIFI Mobile (pre-paid)
Discount for devices:
- 5-7 % discount for Acer product under Acer Student Programme-MOHE for the selected product
- 15% discount for Samsung Education Store for all products and accessories
- Ranging from RM85 to RM420 discount for Education AOS Store Home (Apple Education Store) depends on the product provided.
A discussion between MOHE and Bank Simpanan Nasional Berhad (BSN) was also held as one of its initiatives to provide loan assistance for university students to purchase laptops under Skim BSN MyRinggit-i COMSIS.
Crowdfunding involving collaboration between MOHE and Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS) through Tabung Prihatin Siswa provides a platform for the public to donate to ease students’ burden and to help them with remote learning without limitation. Donation can be made through Maybank 5660 1062 2566 account or through this link www.billpiz.com/tabungsiswa. ***