KOTA SAMARAHAN: Twenty-six Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) students have been selected to be the recipients of Yayasan Sarawak Tun Taib Scholarships.
Among them, two are pursuing their doctorates, three degree and 21 diploma levels.
They were among 87 recipients who received the scholarships at a presentation ceremony held at Dewan Besar Astana Negeri here last Friday.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is also Unimas chancellor, officiated at the ceremony.
Taib, when addressing the students, said there was an increase in the number of recipients this year compared to last year.
He attributed the increase to the Sarawak government’s concern in producing more intellectuals in selected fields that could contribute towards the state economy in the future.
He said it was part of the Sarawak government’s initiatives to help the people, especially those from the rural areas to improve their education level and indirectly their living standard.
Also present were Taib’s wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Ragad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, local dignitaries and Unimas vice-chancellor Datuk Mohamad Kadim Suaidi.
The two PhD student recipients are Dayana Saiful Ikhwan and Muhammad Norhelmi Ahmad.
Scholarship recipients for the degree courses are Abang Mohd Arif Anaqi AbangIsa, Benny Lawrence Senawi, Anisa Grace Robert Galang while those in the diploma category are Aina Syakirah Mohammad Hussin, Ashley Laja Alexander, Farah Farhana Mohd Mortadza, Farid Hamizan Roslan, Geraldine Rachel Cornelius, Helwin Marshall Edwin, Justina Luisa Janis, Mohamad Hafis Maulad Sedi, Mohd Norhiesham Shamsul, Mohd Rizzwan Minggu, Muhammad Aiman Muhammad Izzam, Nelly Booa Semuel, Nicodemus Rafeal Biat, Nur Hazwani Lau, Nurizzati Asyikin Binti Bohari, Oliviana Richard, Ryan AdlerTan, Fanssy Constance Anak Dawat, Gilbert Bidu Mabong,Joviancal Aren Jukm and Siti Humairah Shabri.
