SPM leavers with BM credit eligible for Yayasan Sarawak sponsorship, says director

Mersal (fifth left) presents a mock cheque of RM15,000 to Kuching District Education Office for the commencement of Sarawak Education Expo at the district level on July 27, 2024.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, July 23: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) leavers with a credit in the subject of Bahasa Malaysia will be eligible for a sponsorship if they wish to further their studies in higher learning institutions (IPT) under Yayasan Sarawak (Sarawak Foundation).

Sarawak Foundation (Yayasan Sarawak) director Mersal Abang Rosli said this would be among the privileges given to school leavers attending the Sarawak Education Expo, which will be held simultaneously in 43 locations throughout the State from 8.30am to 2pm on July 27.

He also said the expo provides counselling and guidance services to students in making the right choice towards building a career that suits their existing qualifications as well as an opportunity to register for enrollment in participating institutions.

“If the students successfully enrolls into any of our institutions, Yayasan Sarawak will ensure that the students get sponsorship, provided that they have a credit in Bahasa Malaysia at the SPM level.

“They will also get a one-off IPT admission assistance of RM1,000 if their family’s income per capita is below RM1,500 apart from having the opportunity to attend the English Enhancement Program (EEP) course for free for a month inclusive of free accommodation and pocket money of RM300,” he said during a press conference held at Sarawak Foundation headquarters in Jalan Sultan Tengah here today.

Mersal also said students are eligible to be considered for the BP40 Bursary Assistance Scheme which is open to Bumiputera students where they receive an 80 per cent tuition fee subsidy from Yayasan Sarawak.

Meanwhile at University Technology of Sarawak (UTS), the bursary scheme is extended to non-Bumiputeras from the B40 families.

For students who are interested in following skills courses, if they successfully enroll into the Centre of Technology Excellence Sarawak (CENTEXS) and similar panel institutions under Yayasan Sarawak, they have the opportunity to receive sponsorship, admission aid worth RM1,000 to skills institutions in Sarawak and RM1,500 for outside Sarawak.

They will also get a loan repayment discount of 50 per cent of the total loan received upon completion of their respective skills courses.

The Sarawak Education Expo is organised by Yayasan in collaboration with Resident and District Offices as well as Sarawak Education Department.

Participating institutions are Sarawak Foundation, Swinburne University of Technology, UTS, Curtin University Malaysia, i-CATS University College, CENTEXS and Laila Taib College.

Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is expected to officiate the event virtually, and it will be broadcasted on Facebook and YouTube, while the physical launching will be officiated by elected representatives in their respective areas. — DayakDaily