SIBU: The Farley Foundation will award 10 scholarships to Universiti Teknologi Sarawak (UTS) students each year, says UTS Board of Governors chairman Dr Annuar Rapaee.
According to him, the value of the scholarship would depend on the course fee of each student.
“If a student’s fee is RM7,000 a year, then he/she will receive a scholarship of the same amount.
“Ten students will receive this scholarship every year so, at the end of the fourth year, the total number of recipients is 40,” he said at a press conference after the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between Farley Group and UTS.
He added that the MoU marked another milestone for both parties in helping students from low-income families to further their studies at university level.
Dr Annuar, who is also Deputy Minister for Education, Innovation and Talent Development, said in addition to the Farley Foundation scholarships, the state government also offered 100 per cent scholarships or RM10,000 for Foundation studies at UTS.
“UTS undergraduate and postgraduate students can also take advantage of the Special Scholarship Scheme, which provides a 50 per cent tuition fee reduction.
“Another is the UTS Scholarship Scheme for Sarawakians, where students from the B40 and M40 categories will receive an 80 per cent discount on their overall tuition fees.”
The Nangka assemblyman also pointed out that the initiative would only accept 100 Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera students per year.
Meanwhile, Farley Foundation president Eijing Lau said their main purpose was to support education.
“We feel that the most crucial aspect in creating a high-quality community is the individuals who live there.
“Therefore, regardless of ethnicity or religion, we focus on the improvement of education for all Sarawakians.”
Meanwhile, UTS vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Khairuddin Abdul Hamid said the MoU would require both parties to establish eligibility criteria and formalise the selection process.
According to him, the presence of this scholarship would allow students, particularly those from low-income households, to continue their education at UTS.
“I’d like to see our collaboration continue in order to form a long-term and strategic alliance.
“I also hope that this MoU can benefit our students as well as both organisations.”
