RM52m for study awards, aid
Published on: Friday, November 22, 2019
By: Sherell Jeffrey
KOTA KINABALU: The State Education and Innovation Ministry has allocated RM52 million for scholarships and financial aid next year.Its Minister Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob said he hoped with the granting of the scholarships and aid, more intellectuals will be born and more people are skilled in the State.
ADVERTISEMENT
In his winding-up speech on the proposed 2020 State Budget at the State Legislative Assembly Wednesday, he said the scholarships and financial aid target 400 undergraduate diploma holders, 1,000 undergraduates, 20 undergraduate students at overseas universities and 400 B40 recipients.
“The Ministry’s focus next year, among others, is to sponsor outstanding students from SPM 7A and above and STPM CGPA 4.0 for local and overseas Public Higher Education Institutions (IPTAs) and Private Higher Learning Institutions (IPTSs).
“Those eligible will be placed in the ‘top 20 universities’ in the world,” he said.
In addition, plans are also in the pipeline to sponsor students according to industry requirements so that there will be no excess of graduates.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Focus will be on skills and TVETs based on the industry needs. School dropouts, especially in the B40 and hardcore poor, will also be focused for sponsorship,” he said.
The Ministry will also be allocating RM19,506,930 to the Department of Human Resource Development (JPSM) for management and RM1,563,000 for development programmes next year.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The Department will continue 15 programmes at ILTP in Papar, in addition to holding at least 14 long-medium courses, 60 short courses, three Hospitality Engagement programmes, nine Career and Carnival Hiking sessions, 10 Youth Mind Transformation Camp programmes and sending the trainees to further their studies at the University of Kuala Lumpur,” said Dr Yusof.
He said to provide the State with the latest skills and technology in industry 4.0, Sabah Skill Training Centre will run two programmes - the Bosch Mechatronics Training System and Mechanical Joint Integrity - next year.
In addition, corporate training will also be introduced by SSTC for industry 4.0 programmes in collaboration with Penang Skills Development Centre.
For the purpose of boosting human capital for the education sector, the Ministry plans to hold several career awareness programme sessions for 2020.
The target audience is Form 5 and Form 6 students. Emphasis is on the oil and gas industry sector.
Three sessions of awareness programmes for parents are also planned for next year.
Dr Yusof said based on some B40 student outreach sessions, it was found that the students did not pursue higher education because parents don’t allow their children to leave their hometown.
In addition, the Ministry also intends to collaborate with the Sabah State Education Department to set up a series of programmes to improve student performance in primary and secondary schools through lectures and career concerns.
To ensure lifelong learning initiatives, a “cream of cream” programme will be held next year.
Dr Yusof said the programme is aimed at students who have earned 7A or higher in the results of the Malaysian Certificate of Examination.
He said these students will be gathered and given exposure on appropriate courses.
In addition, scholarship fund providers or educational loans from various agencies will be invited to identify and then offered to students who wish to be sponsored.
The State Government has expressed its stance on the issue of recognising the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) for admission to IPTAs and appointments to the Sabah State Public Service subject to the conditions stipulated.
This, Dr Yusof said, is in line with the ambitions of the new government manifesto.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
To ensure that educational development in Sabah is more systematic and fair in its proper course, a Ministerial Education and Innovation Advisory Panel has been established.
He said this panel is important to advise the Minister of Education and Innovation for programmes and initiatives to improve education in the state.