16 Initiatives Under #Bajet2022 That Will Help College & Uni Students
While tabling the Supply Bill 2022 on Friday, 29 October, the Finance Minister announced that the Ministry of Higher Education has been allocated RM14.5 billion.
By Arisha Rozaidee — 03 Nov 2021, 04:36 PM
Following the recent tabling of #Bajet2022, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) says that the government's concern for the development of higher education in the country is well received
In a statement, the Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad said that MOHE is particularly grateful for the government's efforts in channelling funds to enhance Research and Development (R&D) activities.
While tabling the Supply Bill 2022 on Friday, 29 October, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul announced that the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) has been allocated RM14.5 billion.
RM11.5 billion is meant for operating expenses and RM3 billion will be channelled for development expenses.
Noraini added, "MOHE is committed to assisting the government in the recovery agenda, rebuilding the country's resilience through higher education."
There are 16 initiatives under the Supply Bill 2022 that will help agencies under the MOHE as well as students in colleges and universities:
1. B40 students will receive free tablets
RM450 million will be allocated for this programme and it is estimated that 600,000 students from B40 families will benefit from this initiative.
2. The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) industry will be empowered with a RM6.6 billion allocation
Besides that, an additional RM200 million will also be allocated for joint venture programmes with the industry.
3. Discounts will be given for National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loan repayments
Starting 1 November 2021 until 30 April 2022, those who are repaying their loan balance in full will be eligible for a 15% discount.
Meanwhile, those who are repaying at least half of their loan balance will be granted a 12% discount.
If you repay your PTPTN loans through salary cuts or scheduled direct debit, then you will be given a 10% discount.
4. Double tax deduction will be extended for companies that offer scholarships to students
This policy will be extended to companies offering scholarships to all fields of study.
5. Youths aged 18 to 20 years old and full-time students in higher education institutions will be eligible for RM150 e-wallet credit
This will come under the government's eStart programmes to foster a culture of cashless transactions in the country.
The government has allocated RM300 million for the initiative, which aims to benefit more than two million youths so they can purchase items such as books and other equipment for their studies.
6. RM6.6 billion has been allocated for education loan programmes
Besides that, the allocation will also be channelled towards upgrading certificate programmes to diplomas, besides producing professionals among Bumiputeras in the fields of medicine, engineering, and finance under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), and Yayasan Peneraju.
7. The government called for the private sector to offer an allowance of RM900 to students who undergo industrial training
8. Employers who hire school leavers and graduates aged 18 to 30 years will be provided a monthly incentive of RM900
The RM900 amount will be given monthly for each hire for a period of six months.
9. Tax incentives for the Structured Industrial Training Programme will be extended until the year of assessment 2025
This will also be extended to students at different levels including Master's Degree, Professional Certificate, and Malaysian Skills Certificate Level 1 and 2.
10. R&D activities will be enhanced
RM423 million has been allocated for the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) and MOHE for this cause.
The allocation includes RM295 million that will be used by public universities to play a role in the research and innovation ecosystem as well as encourage collaboration with the industry.
11. Mobile clinic services will be expanded to university teaching hospitals
This is in line with the government's efforts to increase access to screening and health education in focus areas.
12. More universities will implement the community-based rehabilitation programme starting next year
The programme was pioneered by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in Penang, but the government plans to implement it in other public universities across the country.
13. The capacity of public health service facilities will be increased
RM4 billion has been allocated for the implementation of vaccination programmes as well as other efforts to address COVID-19, which also involves university teaching hospitals.
15. RM2.9 billion will be used to carry out projects involving road maintenance, infrastructure renovation, and updating equipment at public universities, polytechnics, and community colleges
16. Internet connectivity in institutions of higher learning will be improved
A total of RM50 million will be utilised to upgrade the Malaysian Research and Education Network (MYREN) access line at public universities from 500Mbps to 10Gbps.
The ministry believes that the approved allocation will not only benefit MOHE stakeholders but will also be enjoyed by the community and society, in line with the concept of 'Keluarga Malaysia' and 'Wawasan Kemakmuran Bersama 2030'
To get more information, check out the MOHE Facebook page.
