RHB awards 10 students with scholarships
murniati@nst.com.my
COMING from an underprivileged family, 18-year-old Chang Shi Ting’s dream of pursuing studies in tertiary education at a local university seemed far-fetched.
Despite the odds, she overcame the hurdles after gaining 10As in her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) last year and was named as one of the RHB X-Cel Star Scholarship Award receivers.
The RHB X-Cel Star Scholarship Award has set her and nine other students from low-income families to achieve their lifelong dreams.
Having lost her mother due to cancer last year, Chang Shi Ting admitted of having financial difficulties with her father working as a blacksmith to support the family.
The former student of Sekolah Menengah Bedong, Kedah has started her matriculation studies in Kolej Matrikulasi Melaka in May.
“I believe that education is the most powerful tool for me and my family to escape poverty. This scholarship means a lot to me,” she said.
RHB Foundation chairman and RHB Banking group managing director Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli said RM2.4 million has been allocated for the scholarship programme until 2022, adding that this would benefit at least 40 high potential youths from low-income families.
“The scholarship will provide selected students access to educational opportunity at the tertiary level which will eventually contribute directly towards their families, socio-economic well-being.
“RHB X-Cel is a structured learning programme that does not only focus on academic performance but also develops and nurtures the younger generations to become holistic young adults and Malaysia future leaders,” he said.
Another recipient Marliana Nor Shazreen Azmi said that she was thankful to be selected to pursue her studies in Physical Sciences foundation at Universiti Malaya (UM).
“It has always been my goal to study in UM as it is one of the best universities in Malaysia. I hope with this opportunity, I will be able to focus on my studies without worrying much about the financial situation,” said Marliana
who is keen on studying Chemical Engineering course for her degree.
The former Sekolah Menengah Dato’ Seth, Muar, Johor student, scored 9As in her SPM.
Mohd Aqimie Aziz who was from Sekolah Menengah Majakir Papar, Sabah said he could finally let out a sigh of relief for easing the
burden of his parents. He will be joining a Foundation in Science progamme at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
“I have three other siblings who are still studying in school as I am the eldest. This scholarship is definitely going to take some financial pressure off of me and my family.