SPM top achievers to get full scholarships at UniKL, UPTM, says DPM
KUANTAN: Students with 10As and above in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination will be awarded full scholarships to study at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Universiti Poly-Tech Mara (UPTM).
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said students, who obtained 10As and above, would be eligible for the scholarships if they choose to pursue higher education at both institutions.
"The initiative is to ensure outstanding students are provided an opportunity to further their studies without any financial burdens. Insya-Allah (God willing), if the student obtains 10As and above, UniKL and UPTM will approve their applications.
"I have referred the matter to the Mara (Majlis Amanah Rakyat) director-general (Datuk Zulfikri Osman) and it has been agreed by its chairman (Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki)," he said when launching the national-level Yayasan Pelajaran Mara (YPM) squad at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Silver Jubilee Hall here today.
Present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Asyraf and YPM chairman Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, said students with 5As to 7As would be given an opportunity to further their studies at UniKL and UPTM.
Meanwhile, Zahid, who is also the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) chairman, assured students with less-than-stellar SPM results that they could choose to join the TVET programme.
"What about students who secured only three credits in their SPM? Do they have a chance to further their studies?.... Do not worry, as they can choose to pursue further studies at 1,399 TVET institutions in the country.
"Since the TVET intake for July was opened on April 15, 126,000 applications have been received from students nationwide. TVET promises a bright future," he said.
Zahid said TVET was no longer a second choice and Mara, through YPM, would continue to serve as an institution to support the welfare and education needs of the youth, including those with low academic grades.
On the YPM squad, Zahid described it as a strategic initiative designed to strengthen youth for a greater role as agents of change in social, educational, and community development.
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