By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, Nov 10 – The RM200 Kita Selangor book voucher initiative will be expanded next year to include more students, including those pursuing their education in universities outside the state, Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari announced today.
Specifically, he said the number of beneficiaries will double to 2,000, as opposed to the 1,000 recipients this year.
This is achievable thanks to strategic cooperation with various government agencies and non-governmental organisations.
“The book voucher programme will continue in 2024 targeting 2,000 students. It will be expanded to as many public universities throughout Malaysia as possible, as well as selected private higher education institutions,” he said when tabling the 2024 Selangor Budget today.
Amirudin said the initiative, which targets students from low-income families and zakat beneficiaries, aims to reduce the burden of educational expenses and encourage academic success.
The Menteri Besar also announced a substantial RM9 million allocation for infrastructural improvements in three education institutions in the states — Universiti Selangor (Unisel), Universiti Islam Selangor (UIS) and Selangor State Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC).
He said Unisel will also be restructured into Universiti Industri Selangor by 2025, primarily focusing on technical and vocational training (TVET) through strategic cooperation with the industry.
In its effort to continue with TVET education through STDC, Amirudin said RM13.85 million is allocated for the Smart Selangor Technical Skills and Expertise Initiative (Iktisass) programme to ensure that the state would produce a skilled workforce, preparing Selangor for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0).
Separately, he said the RM1,000 financial aid for Selangor students from low-income households who, pursue their higher education at recognised public and private institutions (HPIPT), will continue next year, with a RM3 million allocation.
Amirudin added that the state has also agreed to maintain its RM9 million allocation for the Selangor State Scholarship Fund (TKWBNS), and RM5 million will be allocated for the Basic University Fee Assistance (Bayu) next year.
In all, he said the state government will allocate RM24.9 million to enhance higher education through various programmes, benefitting Selangor students both at home and abroad.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said the state will embark on a nationwide #KitaSelangor Students Tour next year to promote the state’s educational initiatives across public universities nationwide.
