The fund was launched by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and will be channelled through the finance ministry.

Higher education minister Noraini Ahmad said YKM will also focus on stabilising and fulfilling the aspiration for good governance as well as the welfare of undergraduates.

“The launch of this initiative is in line with the strategic focus of the higher education ministry’s sixth policy, which is to encourage the spirit of togetherness. In future, this will be the initiative that will manage and channel the funds to the undergraduates at the national level,” she said in her speech at the launch today.

Noraini said the ministry put in greater effort this year, focusing mainly on the welfare and overall well-being of students in terms of their academic performance, financial assistance and Covid-19 vaccinations.

“The 43 public universities and university teaching hospitals under the purview of the higher education ministry were turned into vaccination centres (PPV) for the ministry.”

“Additionally, drive-through vaccination programmes and outreach initiatives to help senior citizens and the disabled (OKU) receive vaccinations were also conducted.

“By doing all this, the ministry helped the government to accelerate the National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) with a rate of 91,000 doses given out on a weekly basis. As of today, more than two million doses have been given at these centres,” Noraini said.

She added that to ensure the welfare and safety of students in the country are prioritised, the higher education ministry will continue working with the health ministry as well as the Covid-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) to allow students who have not received their vaccinations, nor a vaccination date, to walk-in to the PPV.

“The ministry is also currently working on preparing the distribution of Covid-19 self-test kits for the students with the aim to prevent the spread of this virus and reduce the risk on campus,” she said.