Outstanding Students Given Government Scholarships Should Return To Serve Nation

KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Bernama) - Outstanding students given government scholarships should highlight their potential by returning home to serve the nation. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said sometimes, an individual's potential could only be highlighted when given the opportunity. He said the challenging global environment means that it was not impossible for students to achieve success that was beyond their reach. "The nation's future lies on the shoulder of students. Use this opportunity to study hard and serve the nation after graduating," he said after giving National Scholarship offer letters to 50 students who obtained A+ for all subjects in Malaysia Certificate of Education (SPM) 2011 Examination at National Institute of Public Administration here on Thursday. The National Scholarship Programme began in 2010 by sponsoring 30 students to pursue education at world class universities based on merit. The Education Minister said from this year, the government has increased the number of recipients to 50 due to significant increase of students with excellent results in SPM last year. The students will be funded from preparatory stage to first degree in fields of their choice at local and foreign universities recognised by the government. This this year alone, the government via the Public Service Department (JPA) allocated RM2.12 billion (US$690.44 million) to fund about 12,000 outstanding students taking first degree studies at home or abroad. Implementation of JPA sponsorship programmes including National Scholarship is to ensure that the nation has a competitive human capital to meet the needs of the workforce. Scholarship recipient Nur Shahera Yayah@Yahya, 17, thanked the government and pledged to heed Muhyiddin's advice to guide her to greater success. The daughter of a lorry driver who obtained 10A+ in all subjects aims to further her study to Australia to fulfill her dream of becoming a pharmacist. Her father Yahya Jumari,47, also thanked the government for giving his daughter the opportunity to pursue her study. "I reminded Shahera to do her best and serve the nation to return the good deed," Yahya said. - BERNAMA