Bumiputera students get second chance via JPB 2017

BERA: The Bumiputera Education Tour (JPB) 2017 gives poor Malay and Bumiputera students a second chance to pursue tertiary education.

Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said JPB which began last year was targeted at students from rural areas.

“Many students are filling out UPU (Unit Pusat Universiti) forms to enter university but there is no place for some as they may not meet the required qualifications.

“Poor students who have to work to support their families may miss the UPU deadline. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak wants to give them a second chance,” he said at the launch of JPB 2017 by Najib at Bera District Council field yesterday.

Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Deputy Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri Ismail Abd Muttalib and JPB main committee chairman Prof Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Sahol Hamid Abu Bakar.

JPB 2017 will tour 53 parliamentary constituencies nationwide involving 13 strategic partners, 18 public universities and 500 volunteers and targets the entry of 50,000 students as set by Najib.

“The JPB slogan is to find, identify and help. We will go down to the grassroots to find the three target groups, namely Malay and Bumiputera students who finished secondary school between 2012 to 2016.

“Our target are students who obtained good results but did not get the chance to enter university and those who are poor and needy.”

Ismail Sabri added JPB 2017 follows last year’s success which saw 37,324 students assisted. JPB 2016 was held in 55 constituencies in 13 states.

JPB is jointly organised with Gerakan Pendidikan Bumiputera Malaysia (GPBM), Yayasan Destini Anak Bangsa (YDAB) and Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya (KOPROJAYA).

Meanwhile, Sahol Hamid said JPB managed to help 80 percent of the selected poor Bumiputera students to pursue tertiary education.

“Those selected need not worry about financing as aid is provided by the National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN).

“Some were aided by state foundations and the universities while others qualified to receive tithe,” he added.

For more information on JPB 2017 go to the Facebook and Youtube of Jelajah Pendidikan Bumiputera or Instagram @jelajahpbofficial and Twitter @JelajahPB. - Bernama