USIM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Prof. 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 ensuring 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 is aimed at raising funds to be distributed to 200 underprivileged students in April. A charity dinner will also be organised to raise funds for the programme,” he said in a statement here today.

In Georgetown, chairman of Public University Alumni and Student Affairs Deputy Vice-Chancellors Secretariat Prof. 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 went viral on social media, was indeed questionable.

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

– BERNAMA