Early intervention is critical. When financial pressure builds, mental health is the first to suffer. UNITAR has taken an early intervention approach by providing professionally trained counsellors across its campuses nationwide for free for students who might otherwise suffer in silence. When students feel heard and supported, challenges become manageable.
Dr Brendan J Gomez
Associate Professor and Psychologist
UNITAR is committed to removing these financial barriers through a multi-pronged approach:
- RM1 Million Financial Aid: Ahead of the September intake, UNITAR offered financial assistance to students struggling with tuition fees due to financial hardship in their household.
- Scholarships: In collaboration with the Federal Territories Department and the Penang State Government was launched to support students from hardcore poor families, covering full tuition fees.
- Strategic Partnerships: UNITAR has expanded its reach through collaborations with ERA, Raaga, and Putera-MIC Kedah, ensuring more B40 students gain access to scholarships through partner networks.
- Certified Mental Health Counsellors: All UNITAR campuses nationwide are staffed with registered counsellors, offering free and confidential support to students facing emotional challenges.
- Career-Focused Programmes: UNITAR’s industry-aligned courses and internship pathways ensure students graduate job-ready, equipped with real-world skills and professional connections. With 98% employability according to the Ministry of Higher Education Tracer Study in 2024, UNITAR students are secured in jobs with a stable income.
Education is more than textbooks and classrooms; it is about shaping futures. At UNITAR, our scholarships, including PUJI through partnerships and state level collaborations, are designed to lift the financial weight from our students. By combining financial aid with access to trained mental health counsellors, we are nurturing talent in a holistic way, equipping students not just to graduate, but to enter the marketplace career-ready, confident, and resilient
Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Ir. Dr. Sahol Hamid bin Abu Bakar, Vice Chancellor of UNITAR International University said.
Mental health is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Without support, students risk burnout, dropout, and long-term setbacks. UNITAR’s integrated model ensures that no student is left behind, whether the challenge is financial, emotional, or academic.
Many of our students in Sabah come from families where survival takes precedence over emotional well-being. Mental health is often viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity. These youths face intense pressures from financial hardship to academic stress and family challenges. For those in rural areas, awareness of mental health support is limited, and they often turn to peers instead of professionals. At UNITAR, we are working to change that with mental health care that feel safe, accessible, and normal, especially for those who have never had access to it before.
Senior Mental Health Counsellor at UNITAR College Kota Kinabalu
- Befrienders KL: 03-7627 2929 (24/7)
- Talian Kasih: 15999 or WhatsApp +60192615999
- MIASA Crisis Helpline: 1800 180 066
- HEAL Hotline: 15555
ABOUT UNITAR EDUCATION GROUP
UNITAR Education Group was first established in 1991 to provide inclusive learning opportunities, produce industry-ready and globally oriented graduates, and foster academic and career success.
In 1991, UNITAR College was established to provide aspiring students with the opportunity to move ahead in their education pathway with our industry-recognised Certificate, Diploma & SKM programmes.
In 1997, UNITAR International University was established as the First Virtual University in Southeast Asia and among the earliest private universities in the country. It is the first institution in Asia to be awarded a QS 5-Star Rating for the Online Learning category.
In 2006, Kuala Lumpur Metropolitan University College (KLMUC) was established in the heart of Kuala Lumpur as a progressive and innovative higher learning institution with two distinctive faculties and one centre offering 18 programmes.
In 2016, UNITAR Academy was also established as a Professional Development Centre, focused on skyrocketing talent development strategies. Through rigorous preparation, we provide continuous learning opportunities for the working class, creating endless career opportunities for the next generation of leaders. On-Campus or Online, the Academy is suited for all your developmental needs.
In alignment with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, UNITAR’s holistic and innovative learning ecosystem provides a comprehensive programme offering for all socio-economic levels whilst developing highly employable and entrepreneurial global citizens.
Media Contact
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Head of Corporate Communications
UNITAR Education Group
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