Scholarships for aspiring engineers

MORE underserved students will receive scholarships to study engineering at Universiti Malaya (UM).

The collaboration between the country’s highest-ranked varsity and ABB Jürgen Dormann Foundation (JDF) will see an additional three scholarships, bringing the total to 12 in UM, being offered to academically outstanding students from low-income families.

Initially inked in 2011, the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties will be extended for another five years.

The scholarships will be offered per academic year, ABB JDF said in a statement.

Selected students will receive RM15,000 per year for the duration of their course, up to a maximum of four years.

First year students, it added, will also receive an additional RM3,000 to purchase computer equipment and software to help them prepare for their lessons.

Scholars will also receive the support of an ABB mentor who will help them through their higher education. Under the scholarship agreement, scholars will undergo an internship programme.

“The scholarship amount was increased as we wanted to ensure that educational pursuits, especially among the country’s brightest talents, do not take a back seat due to the rising cost of living.

“Outstanding students who have proven their academic ability deserve to be supported to overcome their economic disadvantages and to achieve their fullest potential,” said ABB country managing director R. Narayanan.

Expressing his gratitude, UM vice-chancellor Datuk Abdul Rahim Hashim said the varsity will do it’s best in ensuring the collaboration continues to be fruitful.

“I believe we will be able to produce more world-class engineering talents who will serve the country in a competitive new era,” he added.

Renewed collaboration: Narayanan (left) and Abdul Rahim sign a new five-year MoU which offers scholarships to underprivileged students in UM to pursue engineering.