Clearing the air

Top scorers with at least 9A+ can apply with immediate effect, says dept

All SPM students with at least 9A+ are eligible to apply for scholarship, says Public Service Department.

PETALING JAYA: The Public Service Department (PSD) has cleared the air over its new sponsorship programme – all applicants with at least 9A+ are eligible to apply with immediate effect.

This much awaited piece of news will leave many SPM 2016 top scorers jumping for joy after days of uncertainty.

In a statement, PSD director-general Datuk Seri Zainal Rahim Seman said: “All students who scored at least 9A+ can submit their applications to be considered for the scholarship.

“Those who qualify will receive sponsorship from the foundation level up to their first degree in approved courses at public universities or private higher learning institutions in the country,” he said.

The clarification came following confusion over the new 9A+ sponsorship programme.

According to PSD’s eSila portal, only students with full A+ for all subjects they sat for are automatically entitled to the sponsorship.

Various interpretations arose as students were made to understand that they would not have qualified for scoring 9A+ and 1A in the 10 subjects they sat for.

In the same statement, Zainal pointed out the 2016 Graduate Bursary Programme was a one-off arrangement – as decided by the Government – and had ceased.

In line with the new PSD sponsorship model 2017, Zainal said two other sponsor- ship programmes had been maintained.

One of them is the National Sponsorship Programme which funds the top 20 SPM scorers to study in the 10 most renowned universities in the world.

The other is the special Japan, South Korea, France and Germany programme which sponsors 200 outstanding students to pursue studies in engineering.

Zainal said sponsorship for science and technology, along with social sciences at these countries, could still be considered and subject to the Government’s approval.

“The new sponsorship model has been introduced by the Government in 2016 as a step to ensure optimal benefits from the funds allocated.

“Under this new model, we place greater emphasis on merit and inclusiveness, Middle 40 and Bottom 40 households along with technical education and vocational training, developing Malaysia as an educational hub and return of investment for the Government,” he said.

Zainal said 2016 SPM holders could visit its website at www.jpa.gov.my or https://esilav2. jpa.gov.my to apply for these sponsorship programmes.

For more details, contact PSD hotline at 03-8885 3049 on weekdays (8.30am to 5.30pm) until May 5.