Being There for Those Around Us

On 5 January, a devastating piece of news reached the University.

Mohd Marzuki Mohd Mokhtar, 43, had succumbed to Covid-19. A learner in the Bachelor of Occupational Safety and Health Management programme at Shah Alam Learning Centre, he had been close to graduating as he was already in his final semester and was busy with his final project when he lost the battle against the deadly virus.

The late Marzuki, who lived in Kuala Lumpur, left behind his widow Azrah Md Arifin. The University took sympathy for her plight, and decided to donate RM10,000 to help ease her burden. She received the contribution from director Ramash Ananth K Ganeson, who visited her in April. A housewife at the time of her husband’s death, Azrah used the money as capital to start a small business so she could begin earning a living.

Shah Alam Learning Centre director Ramash Ananth K Ganeson presenting the University’s contribution to Azrah.

Across the South China Sea, the staff of Sibu Learning Centre also made an effort to reach out to the needy. As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, the Sibu team recently contributed food baskets containing much-needed essentials like rice, flour, sugar, eggs, and cooking oil. Led by director Joshua Mariyam Anak Duum, the food baskets were handed to Sibu Welfare Department on 28 September at Sibu Islamic Complex, Jalan Awang Ramli Amit. They were distributed to families across the central Sarawakkian city.

The Learning Centre managed to gather a considerable amount over a one-week collection period involving generous contributions from learners, tutors, and staff. As an initiative to inspire the OUM community in Sibu to become responsible citizens, this small but meaningful gesture hopes to lend a helping hand to the poor and unfortunate members of society during the pandemic.

Joshua (third from right) and the team from Sibu Learning Centre with their contribution.

In addition to efforts by learning centres, OUM has also provided financial assistance to the families of three other learners who have passed away due to Covid-19. From January to September this year, there have been 12 deaths among our learners, while another learner’s house was destroyed by fire. As a show of concern for the well-being of its learners and their families, the University has disbursed RM105,145.70 in aid to these individuals.

As the unit responsible for learners’ welfare, the Centre for Learner Affairs (CLA) processes applications for assistance, obtains the Registrar’s approval, and credits the welfare payments directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts for their convenience and safety. This is in line with the country’s current regulations for Covid-19.

If not due to pandemic-related restrictions, welfare aid recipients would receive their cheques in person from directors of the respective learning centre.

OUM provides financial aid not only to learners affected by natural disasters such as fires, floods, and landslides, but also for their next-of-kin if the learners pass away due to illness or accident.

Do you need help?

Contact CLA at 03-7801 2131 or learneraffairs@oum.edu.my.

By Azleen Ismail and Joshua Mariyam Anak Duum