Latest news with #CommunityDevelopment
The Sun
10 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Bakti MADANI initiative by UniMAP supports national talent development
KANGAR: The Bakti MADANI programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) supports the Ministry of Higher Education's (MoHE) efforts to develop top national talent, while also shaping students who are capable of creating opportunities and contributing meaningfully to community development. UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaliman Sauli said the initiative is guided by six Community Development Pillars (S4S), aimed at producing not only knowledgeable graduates but also those with a strong sense of social responsibility. 'This initiative aligns with the UniMAP for Society mission, which focuses on producing graduates who are not just job seekers but contributors to society,' he said during the closing ceremony of the three-day, two-night programme in Kampung Gunung Medan here today. Zaliman added that UniMAP for Society is committed to preparing students to be agents of change, equipped with knowledge and skills that benefit the wider community. Speaking to reporters after the event, he shared that students, in collaboration with UniMAP lecturers, installed five solar-powered streetlights in Kampung Gunung Medan and Kampung Binjal. 'This project was an innovation by students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering Technology, carried out in synergy with other departments. It strengthens ties between the university and the community through technology developed within the campus,' he said. Fifty students were also placed with 25 foster families in both villages and participated in activities such as communal cooking, motorcycle servicing, and providing health and wellness advice. 'The programme, held in close cooperation with the Perlis Native Welfare Organisation, successfully gave villagers direct exposure to UniMAP's academic expertise and offerings. 'It also helped raise awareness of the university's role and opened up opportunities for local youth to pursue higher education at UniMAP,' he added. Zaliman also announced that UniMAP has been entrusted by the Ministry of Defence to install 1,100 solar-powered streetlights in border areas, covering Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah and Pengkalan Hulu in Perak.
The Sun
10 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
UniMAP empowers students through Bakti MADANI programme
KANGAR: The Bakti MADANI programme organised by Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) supports the Ministry of Higher Education's (MoHE) efforts to develop top national talent, while also shaping students who are capable of creating opportunities and contributing meaningfully to community development. UniMAP vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Zaliman Sauli said the initiative is guided by six Community Development Pillars (S4S), aimed at producing not only knowledgeable graduates but also those with a strong sense of social responsibility. 'This initiative aligns with the UniMAP for Society mission, which focuses on producing graduates who are not just job seekers but contributors to society,' he said during the closing ceremony of the three-day, two-night programme in Kampung Gunung Medan here today. Zaliman added that UniMAP for Society is committed to preparing students to be agents of change, equipped with knowledge and skills that benefit the wider community. Speaking to reporters after the event, he shared that students, in collaboration with UniMAP lecturers, installed five solar-powered streetlights in Kampung Gunung Medan and Kampung Binjal. 'This project was an innovation by students from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering Technology, carried out in synergy with other departments. It strengthens ties between the university and the community through technology developed within the campus,' he said. Fifty students were also placed with 25 foster families in both villages and participated in activities such as communal cooking, motorcycle servicing, and providing health and wellness advice. 'The programme, held in close cooperation with the Perlis Native Welfare Organisation, successfully gave villagers direct exposure to UniMAP's academic expertise and offerings. 'It also helped raise awareness of the university's role and opened up opportunities for local youth to pursue higher education at UniMAP,' he added. Zaliman also announced that UniMAP has been entrusted by the Ministry of Defence to install 1,100 solar-powered streetlights in border areas, covering Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah and Pengkalan Hulu in Perak.
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Boost for 148 Leitrim community projects as over €110,000 allocated to help with running costs
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, and Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities, Jerry Buttimer TD, have) announced the successful projects under the Local Enhancement Programme (LEP) 2025. The funding aims to provide capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas. The funding will support local groups with ongoing running costs. Cathaoirleach of Leitirm County Council Councillor Paddy O'Rourke said the funding will greatly benefit the groups across the county. 'I would like to thank the Minister and the Dept of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht for this significant funding allocation of more than €110,000 towards 148 community projects across County Leitrim through the Local Enhancement Programme 2025. "I would also like to warmly congratulate all of the community groups that were successful in securing funding and to thank them for the vital work that they continue to do,' said Cllr O'Rourke. Chief Executive of Leitrim of County Council, Joseph Gilhooly also welcomed the funding. "I welcome this allocation of funding to the county by the Dept .of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht. "This funding will provide much needed financial support to 148 community projects throughout the County. "Community groups are both key contributors and a valued partner in developing our county and enriching the social fabric and the lives of those who live within our county,' said Mr Gilhooly. The Local Enhancement Programme 2025 was launched in November 2024. The funding provides capital supports essential for the many small community groups and organisations, particularly those who serve disadvantaged areas in rural and urban areas and also current funding to support local groups with ongoing running costs. The Department of Rural and Community Development and Gaeltacht's Local Enhancement Programme 2025 is administered by the Leitrim Local Community Development Committees, with support from Leitrim County Council.
Gulf Today
12-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
UAE announces inflation allowance for families with monthly income below Dhs25,000
Families with a monthly income below Dhs25,000 will receive inflation allowances tailored to the evolving economic and social conditions in the UAE, according to Shamma Al Mazrui, Minister of Community Development. The minister added that the allowances are part of the restructured Social Support Programme launched in 2022, which includes benefits based on social status, alongside social support services and inflation-related allowances. The programme targets all Emirati families with a monthly income insufficient to ensure a decent living. Besides, it targets pre-2008 retirees as low-income retirees receive support to ensure a dignified life. For retirees Over 60, according to the programme, the family breadwinner's allowance increased from Dhs5,000 to Dhs13,000. Al Mazrui added that a new Category named the "Working/Retired Category" that includes low-income working citizens and retirees was added, with decent living threshold starting at Dhs5,000, and increasing by Dhs2,000 for every ten years of work, up to Dhs13,000 for the family breadwinner. The programme includes other allowances targeting the Emirati Spouse who receives Dhs3,500 first child Dhs2,400, second and third children Dhs1,600 each, and fourth child and beyond Dhs800 each while children of determination receive Dhs5,000 and they are not counted in child order. For Inflation allowances for families with less than Dhs25,000 monthly, allowances are granted as follows: For food allowance: the primary beneficiary is granted Dhs500, the Emirati spouse is granted Dhs500 and children under 21 are granted Dhs250 each (up to 4 children). For fuel allowance (based on 95-octane fuel price): Dhs300 is granted in case price ranges between Dhs2.1–2.85/litre, Dhs600 in case price is between Dhs2.86–3.60/litre and Dhs900 in case price is above Dhs3.61/litre. The Minister pointed out that fuel allowance is granted monthly to the primary beneficiary and one Emirati spouse. Concerning electricity and water allowance, Dhs400 or equivalent to monthly consumption (whichever is lower), are granted to one residence only.
Khaleej Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Some retired citizens struggle with cost of living, lawmaker calls for support
The widening economic gap between Emiratis who retired before and after 2008 was the centre of discussion during a Federal National Council (FNC) session on Wednesday. Member Saeed Al Abedi raised concerns over the financial strain facing earlier retirees and highlighted the rising cost of living. He urged the Ministry of Community Development to take stronger action to ensure all citizens can live with dignity. The FNC member also argued that low-income retired Emirati men should not be made to depend on their wives, even if the latter are employed. In the UAE, a government policy that excludes financial aid to low-income retired men if their wives are employed. Al Abedi argued this policy undermines traditional family roles and leaves retired husbands unsupported. "You will say I have a backward mentality?" Saeed Al Abedi said. "That's fine. I'd rather be backwards with dignity than modern without dignity." Al Abedi argued that women should not be financially responsible for supporting the household, even if they work. He said that when they do contribute, they are doing the household a favour, not a duty. He criticised the policy for unfairly expecting women to take on this role. "It is not the woman's role to finance the household." Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. According to him, the policy deprives men of support if their wives earn an income. He urged the Ministry of Community Development to raise the pensions of retired men who are paid less than their wives to maintain financial balance within families. "Does any of you accept to live off his wife?" he asked fellow members. Widening economic gap When highlighting the issue of the growing economic gap, Al Abedi also questioned the effectiveness of current social support measures. 'Many pre-2008 retirees are living on low incomes that don't match the country's current lifestyle,' he said. 'This reflects negatively on them and their families.' He pointed out that post-2008 retirees had benefited from significant wage adjustments that were not extended to those who retired earlier. He asked Minister of Community Development Shamma Al Mazrui what steps the ministry has taken to bridge this disparity. In a written response read during the session, Minister Al Mazrui said that the ministry had restructured its social support programme in 2022 for all low-income Emirati families, including retirees, through financial allocations and cost-of-living allowances. The programme targets all Emirati families whose monthly household income falls below the national 'decent living threshold.' The ministry stated that retirees over the age of 60 now qualify for up to Dh13,000 monthly as the base allowance for a head of household, up from the previous cap of Dh5,000. This is in addition to support for working or recently retired citizens with limited income, whose benefits rise incrementally depending on years of service, starting from Dh5,000 and increasing by Dh2,000 for every 10 years, up to Dh13,000. Additional monthly allowances include: Inflation-related support is also provided to families with monthly incomes under Dh25,000, covering fuel, electricity, water, and food prices. Fuel subsidies alone can reach up to Dh900 per month depending on market prices, and food allowances include Dh500 for the head of household, Dh500 for a citizen wife, and Dh250 for each child under 21 (up to four children). 'What kind of empowerment is this?' But Al Abedi dismissed these measures as insufficient, arguing they still exclude many of the earlier retirees. 'What kind of empowerment is the ministry talking about exactly?' he asked. 'Empowerment is enabling someone to live with comfort.' He cited a figure previously mentioned by the Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi Member of Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, as the benchmark for a decent minimum income. In 2018, Sheikh Sultan reportedly stated that Dh17,500 is the minimum monthly income required to live with dignity in the UAE, and ordered that all Sharjah retirees receive at least that amount. Al Abedi argued that Dh17,500 at the time is worth over Dh21,000 today, due to inflation, and questioned why federal retirees had not seen comparable adjustments. 'If one of them goes to the bank to apply for a loan, he will not see a single dirham,' he said. 'I wish to understand one thing, somebody please explain to me: based on what factor are children's allowances subtracted from pensions? Why are we deeming them expired?' He added that some Emiratis are forced to retire early due to health reasons and still wish to have children, yet their family benefits are cut off once they leave the workforce. 'Some retire while still in their youth,' he said. 'And they are still capable of reproducing children.'
