SDGA to provide financial assistance
KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association ( SDGA) will provide financial assistance through their Education Relief Fund 2016 for Dayak students to pursue their studies at public institutions of higher learning ( IPTA).
Its president Dr Dusit Jaul said SDGA had always emphasised the importance of education as it was impossible to survive without education, knowledge and skills in the borderless modern world.
“These are the essentials for ( Dayak) community empowerment, so we can be on par with other communities. Without education, knowledge and skills, we won’t be able to survive in this competitive environment,” he said during in a press conference at the SDGA office here yesterday.
Dusit said the fund offers a oneoff financial assistance to selected students amounting to RM800 for diploma studies and RM1,000 for degree studies.
It is estimated that the fund will benefit some 90 students.
The application period begins today and will end on Aug 27 at 5pm. The assistance is targeted mainly at this year’s September intake students.
Dusit said disbursements are scheduled for end of this month and early next month.
To be considered eligible to receive the financial relief, applicants must be Dayak and have an offer letter from the IPTA. They must also be from a needy family ( household income below RM800 per capita) from the rural areas and have yet to receive any financial assistance.
In addition, Dusit urged prominent Dayak leaders, nongovernmental organisations ( NGOs) and individuals to support initiatives to improve the standards of education among the Dayak community.
“My appeal is for the Dayak leaders to help us boost this fund as the sustainability of this fund very much depends on the goodwill of our leaders and personal contribution of every Dayak. This fund is for the benefit of the community and not the association.
“Nothing is more important than education, which has been proven by the Chinese community. Dayaks have a lot to learn from this and we are committed to move forward towards excellence in education.
“If we do not embrace the value of good education, we will be left behind,” he said, emphasising that Dayaks should make education their number one priority in life in order to excel.
To obtain application forms, email SDGA at sarawakdga@ gmail.com, call the SDGA office at 082-258588 or visit their office located at 3rd Floor, Lot 16, Panovel Commercial Centre, Jalan Simpang Tiga.
Also present during the press conference were deputy president Noelle Lily Morse, vice-president Dr Charlie Dudang, secretarygeneral Amelia Sima Jimbun, treasurer-general Tamoi Janggu, and executive committee members Dr Alim Impira and Dr Cliffton Akoi.