KUALA LUMPUR: The National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) inaugurated its new branch office in Taiping, Perak today, its third one opened under a new branding exercise.
Its chairman Datuk Norliza Abdul Rahim said the new branch will allow the corporation to provide better services amidst its plans for overall improvements in delivery.
"PTPTN believes that with the opening of the new branch, it will enhance public confidence in our commitment to providing the best services to our users," said Norliza in a statement, while welcoming the Perak community to access its services via the new branch.
Norliza said PTPTN, as an agency under the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE), will continue to bring about change and transformation in line with current needs and provide opportunities for success to all.
Also present at the opening of PTPTN's Taiping Branch Office were the Perak Women, Family, Welfare, Cooperatives and Entrepreneur Development Committee chairman Datuk Salbiah Mohamed, PTPTN chief executive officer Ahmad Dasuki Abdul Majid, and Perak PTPTN director Andi Nurali Mohamed.
PTPTN said it has also made a zakat contribution amounting to RM10,000 to 100 asnaf students in the Batu Kurau area and in the 'kariah' area of the Masjid Jamek Kamunting.
"Each recipient will receive RM100 in the form of an Skim Simpanan Pendidikan Nasional (SSPN) Prime Savings account. It is hoped that this contribution will encourage parents to start saving from an early age for their children's higher education. This will indirectly boost students' motivation to study diligently."
In another development, PTPTN welcomed the move by the Perak government to provide RM200 for each child born in the state via the SSPN Prime Savings account.
"Until Dec 31 last year, a total of 31,271 newborns benefited from this initiative, with an allocation of RM6.25 million. PTPTN expresses its gratitude for this initiative, which will help in the higher education goals for children in Perak," it said.
PTPTN said a campaign has also been held since Dec 2023 to promote awareness among borrowers to repay their loans.