Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) has not receive any reports about its students suffering from chronic financial problems to the extent of starving and affecting their general health.

Usim deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Hassan Basri Awang Mat Dahan, however, said that the university still views the 'starving students' issue seriously.

He said several pre-emptive measures had been taken by the university, including entrusting the students, their roommates, representatives of Student Representative Council and Undergraduate Hostel Welfare Committee to report such cases, if any, to the university management immediately.

"The Students Affairs Division has also been asked to recheck the biodata of all students, especially those from low-income families. Rejected applications for financial assistance will also be reviewed.

"Besides, Usim will also create the 'Fund for Food and Fees' (3F) programme which aimed at raising fund to be distributed to 200 underprivileged students in April. A charity dinner will also be organised to raise fund for the programme," he said in a statement today.

In GEORGE TOWN, chairperson of Public University Alumni and Student Affairs deputy vice-chancellors secretariat Adnan Hussein today refuted the allegation that there were students who were suffering from hunger in public university campuses nationwide as reported in the media.

"As the secretariat responsible for the wellbeing of university students, we are truly shocked with the report claiming that public university students are suffering from hunger and starving due to financial problems," he said in a statement today.

He said the media report, which was based solely on the findings of a survey conducted by a non-governmental organisation and was viralised through a social media, was indeed questionable in terms of trustability and validity.

The secretariat truly regretted the fact that the media had chosen to sensationalise the issue without seeking clarifications from the university involved as it was feared that it was masterminded by certain quarters with a hidden agenda.

- Bernama

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