BUKIT MERTAJAM: Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong has come to the rescue of a young woman, who was forced to turn down an offer to study at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM).
In a Facebook post, Sim shared that S. Dharsini, 21, recently received an offer to pursue a software engineering degree at UTeM but sadly had to decline it due to her family’s dire financial situation.
He explained that Dharsini’s mother is visually impaired and suffered a broken leg in an accident a few years ago, and her father passed away due to a heart condition.
“The offer should have been good news because it was always her dream to become a software engineer.
“However, she couldn’t bear to burden her mother with the university fees and other expenses, which amounted to tens of thousands of ringgit. She told me she had recently accepted a part-time job at a mini-market.
“If she works hard, she can earn about RM1,500 a month. She plans to use this money to support her mother and save up to study in the future if her situation improves. I am both touched and impressed.
“At such a young age, when many are pursuing their dreams, Dharsini is willing to sacrifice her aspirations for the sake of her beloved mother,” he shared on Facebook yesterday.
Sim, who is also the Bukit Mertajam member of parliament, said he went straight to the family’s home after receiving a report about Dharsini’s situation, to surprise the mother and daughter.
He shared that he brought along the UTeM registration form and asked Dharsini to fill it out. The shocked girl informed him, however, that she had neither the money for the RM2,000 registration fees nor could she afford the other expenses to attend university.
“I told her that since Uncle Steven had come with the form, I would make sure that none of this would be a problem. I also informed Dharsini and her mother that I would cover all her costs of studying at UTeM, including the registration fee and travel expenses. And I would also buy her a laptop if needed,” he said.
He said if the girl receives a loan from the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN), his funding could be used to support her living expenses and her mother’s needs.
“Dharsini’s mother wept uncontrollably upon hearing this. She said that she didn’t have much longer to live and pleaded with me to take care of Dharsini if she passed away. My heart broke hearing this.
“I told her mother that she must be strong because Dharsini is a good child. She will go to university and then work as a software engineer to take care of her,” he said.
He also highlighted his growing number of foster children of various races and religions, vowing that he would continue to strive and help those who are less fortunate achieve their dreams through education. – BERNAMA
