EVEN with his hand in a cast, Louis Yap Jun Hao, 19, was determined to attend a ceremony that honoured him and 20 others with merit-based scholarships.
The Monash University Malaysia Campus student said that he was anxious at first thinking that he would not be able to attend the Maxis Scholarship for Excellence Awards (MSEA), when he injured his hand after falling down.
“The fall was a silly and embarassing incident, but I’m glad to have made it for the awards ceremony,” he said.
Siti Syafiqah receiving her award from Dr Hou while Raja Arshad looks on.
Louis received a scholarship to pursue his studies in Business and Psychology.
“I chose the two fields so I could get a mix of arts and commerce in my studies, and it keeps the learning experience from becoming dry,” he added.
The annual study awards were also given to the other MSEA recipients who will pursue undergraduate programmes locally and abroad.
The awards were presented by Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung and Maxis Bhd chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda in Kuala Lumpur, last Tuesday.
Dr Hou said he was delighted to learn that Maxis would be investing up to RM8.13mil this year to fund its scholarship programme.
Azmi says that up to 30 students are selected to pursue their studies at local institutions.
“This is an excellent example of how the private sector can support the government in helping eligible individuals gain access to tertiary education,” he said in his speech.
Raja Arshad said Maxis recognised the importance of education and the need to develop human capital not just in the communication field but in all areas.
“We live in interesting times, where culture, technology and innovation is converging and old traditions are collapsing and being replaced by new ones,” he said.
Since its inception in 2005, Maxis has awarded 78 undergraduate scholarships and the company is the first integrated communications service provider to offer merit-based scholarships to children of customers and employees.
Maxis Bhd human resources division senior vice president Azmi Ujang said every year up to 30 students are selected to receive scholarships to pursue their studies at local institutions, while another 10 awards are allocated for students to study abroad. The selection process of the awards looks at both the academic capabilities of its applicants and their leadership skills through participation in co-curriculum activities and sports.
Out of the over 1,000 applications received this year, 21 were selected after a rigorous selection process by a panel of judges.
The judges included INTI International University deputy vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Ibrahim Ahmad Bajunid, Higher Education Leadership Academy director Prof Datuk Dr Roziah Omar and Universiti Malaya Centre for Industrial Training and Relations director Assoc Prof Dr Stefanie Pillai.
Arshant wants to focus on Actuarial Science in investment.
“I feel humbled and I am grateful. The scholarship helps relieve the burden of my education fees,” said Chen Su-Yi also from Monash University Malaysia Campus.
Arshant Ramesh Nair was one of the five recipients of an overseas scholarship, and will pursue his undergraduate degree in Actuarial Science at the University of Michigan, United States.
“Actuarial Science has a mix of mathematics and statistics to assess risks in finance. I have always been fascinated by statistics, so pursuing a degree in the field comes naturally.
“I want to focus on Actuarial Science in investment instead of insurance, a field in which it (Actuarial Science) is more commonly applied,” said Arshant.
Siti Syafiqah Daud, 19, currently studying at the University of Sydney in Australia, flew back to Malaysia just for the event.
“I am happy to be awarded this scholarship but I have classes next week so everything is a bit rushed and I have to get back to Sydney tonight,” she added.
Louis has chosen courses that are a mix of arts and commerce.
The scholarship is extended to Maxis Postpaid customers with a minimum of one-year subscription and their children, and to children of the company’s employees.
The applicants must also be Malaysians and under the age of 23, with the necessary academic requirements.
Maxis plans to offer 58 scholarships a year, and the value of each scholarship depends on the location of the higher education institution.
A scholarship of up to RM10,000 will be awarded to applicants pursuing their undergraduate course in Malaysia and if the course is offered overseas, the scholarship awarded is up to RM150,000 per year for four years.
Maxis is allocating RM2.35mil for new undergraduate scholarships and up to RM2mil for new postgraduate programmes every year.
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