There is no denying that every student aspires to achieve academic excellence. This can only be accomplished if students work hard to succeed.
Excellence in examination results is not difficult to achieve if students are committed and determined.
Various efforts are made to ensure that the hardworking students are rewarded, including giving them incentives as rewards to encourage them to achieve excellent results.
Sarawak Foundation (SF) has introduced the Sarawak Foundation Excellence Student Award Scheme to ensure that students who achieve excellent results in public examinations are always recognised.
This is intended to motivate students to work harder to achieve academic excellence.
Every year, SF awards this incentive to students who have excelled in public examinations such as Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM).
In his speech at the Kuching Division Excellence Student Reward Scheme Ceremony held at the Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus on Aug 4, 2018, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised that the state government, through SF, will continue to play a role in producing highly educated and skilled Sarawakians.
Indeed, according to Abang Johari, who is SF chairman, the state government has long invested in education, such as by establishing Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia Miri Campus, and Community Colleges.
“It is the state government and the Sarawak Foundation’s mission to produce more intellectuals among the people in Sarawak,” he said.
He said that since its inception, SF has produced many intellectuals who have achieved success in their respective fields and is still willing to assist students in furthering their studies.
Meanwhile, while officiating at the same event for Miri Division on Sept 12, 2018 at Curtin University Malaysia Miri Campus, Abang Johari said students in Sarawak must look ahead and dare to pursue new fields of study to advance in the economic landscape.
Students should have the courage to pursue a strategic field of study that not only includes technology, but also relates to current global market needs.
“Sarawak needs more experts in various fields, including technology, which requires programmers or data analysts in us to enhance the economy and increase the production of our resources here,” he said.
From its inception in 1987 until 2021, SF’s Excellence Student Reward Scheme has benefited 91,441 eligible recipients.
The criteria for selecting students eligible for this award are divided into two categories: Urban and rural schools.
For the SPM category, ‘A’ is required for all subjects taken in urban schools. In rural schools, all other subjects must have at least 7As and Bs.
In the STPM category, students must obtain a full result of all As or a CGPA of 4.00 for urban schools, and a CGPA of 3.50 or higher for rural schools.
Excellent SPM students will be given a certificate and a Bank Simpanan Nasional Premium Savings Certificate worth RM500, while STPM students will be given a certificate and a Bank Simpanan Nasional Premium Savings Certificate worth RM700.
In his remarks at the presentation of the Excellence Student Reward Scheme award, Abang Johari thanked SF for its contribution to the education of Sarawak children.
He said the student was not only rewarded for their efforts, but also motivated to continue further their education.
“We thank the Sarawak Foundation because, since its inception, it has produced many intellectuals who have gone on to achieve success in their respective fields.
“The Sarawak government will undoubtedly continue this type of mission, particularly for those from low-income families,” he said.
He said the government is always willing to invest in education because it knows it will yield the best return, which is more educated communities.
Students who are eligible are not required to apply because the final list of recipients will be obtained in collaboration with the Sarawak State Education Department (JPNS).
However, if the name of a student who should be eligible but is not found on the list, the applicant only needs to attach some documents as confirmation, such as a Confirmation Letter from the school, a copy of their identity card, and a copy of their SPM or STPM results.
All of these documents can be sent directly to the Sarawak Foundation Program & Assistance Section at ys@yayasansarawak.org.my by hand, post, or email.
SF’s annual Performance Student Reward Scheme complements the state government’s efforts to acknowledge academic excellence among students.
SF has always been at the forefront of fostering human capital development and improving the quality of education in the state by providing opportunities for pupils to continue their studies.
There is little doubt that academic excellence, particularly among students, can ensure a brighter future. As a result, students must work diligently to get the best degree of education possible, not just for their own family’s wellbeing, but also for the greater good of the community.
Students’ outstanding success in the future will change a family’s standard of living because education is now a powerful asset in improving society’s quality of life.
It is a source of enthusiasm and inspiration for students to succeed in the future in the context of the Sarawak Foundation’s Excellence Student Reward Scheme.
