A GoodNews Exclusive.
Schools and higher learning institutions have taken a hit and have had to adapt to changes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with varying phases of MCO here in Malaysia.
Yet, more than the institutions themselves, students-to-be have also been affected financially and may not be able to afford to enroll in their preferred course.
GoodNews has found that one institution is trying to create a more affordable path to education and get students the education they need.
After Veritas University College was acquired by the BAC Education Group in 2017, it quickly gained traction among potential students and has made positive strides since.
VUC’s Foundation in Arts programme under the Pandemic Education Fund with an all-inclusive fee of RM5,000.
Veritas University College recently launched its Foundation in Arts for RM5,000 under the newly-implemented Pandemic Education Fund.
As with the ongoing pandemic, classes have gone Hybrid and the majority of their courses are Online which means students can learn at the time, pace, and location of their choosing.
Good News caught up with Veritas University College Director, Raja Singham, to find out more.
Raja shares about Veritas University College’s mission and the current Pandemic Education Fund.
“The whole idea of this Foundation programme is to help students get the opportunity for an education,” said Raja, who is also the BAC Education Group Managing Director.
“We wanted to create a program that was accessible to all by only charging RM5,000 as the basis for them to come in.
“Once they finish, they’re not obligated to stay with us for the Degree; they can go anywhere they want to for their Degree, but if they stay with us the RM5,000 is refunded back to them,” he added.
Veritas University College Vice Chancellor Irene Tan Ai Lian said the Foundation was basically free.
“If you come to think about it, having the RM5,000 refunded back to students if they return to further their studies basically means that this Foundation is free,” she said.
“Education is the way out of poverty and provides many opportunities to people,” said Raja as he explained more about the Vision of Veritas University College.
“I have always strongly believed that. That’s why we made it our goal to make education affordable to help the marginalised.”
On the quality of education, Dr Irene did not mince her words, “VUC’s role is to ensure that even though the price is lowered, the quality is not compromised.”
“We hire quality staff to teach to ensure that students’ experience is good. We also ask for feedback from our student every semester. We also have a system in place for us to spot any inconsistencies.”
Veritas University College was awarded the Brand Laureate award for ‘Best Brand in Online Education’, early September 2020.
Veritas University College aims to be an institution that provides affordable, accessible, and available education to the marginalised, they had become the first “pay-it-forward” university college. Most students who enroll typically come from B-40, differently-abled, or refugee backgrounds.
It also aims to provide affordable quality education to as many as one thousand students this year and has been recognised with a Brand Laureate award for ‘Best Brand in Online Education’, early September 2020.
To learn more about the Foundation in Arts programme under their Pandemic Education Fund, click here.
