Sunday February 17, 2008

Grants for the deserving

Changing lives
By NG SI HOOI

The mission: to help top SPM scorers from hard-core poor families and single parent homes obtain a PSD scholarship. Through MCA's efforts in the last seven years, more than 2,100 scholarships have been awarded.

GREAT news followed by a rejection letter; exhilaration followed by abject disappointment. This was the roller coaster of emotions many students who aced in the SPM examination but failed to secure a scholarship went through.

Many of these dejected students who failed in their application for a Public Service Department (PSD) scholarship sought the help of the MCA Youth education bureau to appeal to the department.

Guiding hand: Dr Wee, through the MCA Youth education bureau, helps deserving students from hard-core poor families appeal for PSD scholarships.

However, this scenario has improved in the last few years, thanks to the Government and the MCA, which have worked hard to ensure that deserving students receive the scholarships.

In 2006, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi assured top SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) scorers with a minimum of 10 1As that they would be offered a scholarship if their families' monthly household income was not more than RM1,500.

“About eight years ago, we had hundreds of disappointed students come to us for assistance soon after PSD announced the list of recipients. We would come across many outstanding students from hard-core poor families who failed to obtain the scholarships.

“But now we have fewer than 100 appeals, and the MCA helps them appeal if their cases are genuine and they deserve the scholarships,” said MCA Youth education bureau chairman Dr Wee Ka Siong.

The MCA encourages the outstanding students to apply for the scholarships so that they will learn new skills as well as gain experience and exposure before returning to Malaysia to serve the people and the country upon graduation.

The PSD scholars take up courses such as medicine, pharmacy, bio-technology, engineering, finance and accountancy in countries like the United States, New Zealand, Australia and Europe after completing their foundation courses locally.

The number of successful applicants among Chinese students has risen significantly in the last few years compared to that before 1999 as the current MCA leadership led by Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting has placed education as one of the party's top priorities.

Every year, before the SPM results are announced, the bureau will organise over 30 seminars nationwide to encourage the students to apply for the scholarships.

Fruitful venture: Ong having a chat with Soo during a gathering in Nilai last year. Looking on are other successful PSD scholars.

“We will advise them on the courses available and guide them on preparing the necessary documents after obtaining their SPM results,” Dr Wee said.

The work of the bureau does not stop there. Once the list of the successful applicants is announced, the bureau will have to assist the unsuccessful but deserving students to appeal.

“Every time the bureau receives the appeals from the students, we will verify the information provided by the students. If the cases are genuine, we will compile the list and hand it to our president.

“Our president will review every case and note down all the details before bringing the list to the Government. Ong is very concerned about the students' plight, especially those from hard-core poor families or children from single parent families,” Dr Wee said.

Some top students conveyed their plights personally to Ong during the gatherings organised by the Government for outstanding achievers.

Ong listened patiently to their predicament and urged them not to give up but continue to work hard before taking down their contact numbers.

To their surprise, many of them received scholarship offers from the PSD a few days later; and some even got calls or text messages from the president himself to congratulate them.

One of them was Penang student Chan Xin Yee, 19, who had failed in three attempts to get a scholarship; she received an SMS from Ong to congratulate her.

“I called the MCA president and thanked him for his concern for my education,” said Chan, who has five siblings, aged 13 to 23, and depends solely on their mother who works in a factory.

Chan, whose father is a retired factory worker, will study dentistry in India.

Another student, Lee Yan Ying, 20, also received an SMS from Ong which read: “The outcome of the PSD scholarship is positive. You will be informed by PSD later. Regards, MCA president Ong Ka Ting.”

Lee, who scored 13 1As in the SPM examination in 2004, sought help from the MCA after her first attempt to obtain the scholarship failed.

Ong hosted several gatherings for the PSD scholars from time to time to monitor their progress and encourage them to work hard so that they could contribute to the country upon graduation.

Last year, Ong organised three such gatherings in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Nilai in Negri Sembilan.

During the lunch gathering at Nilai, Ong advised the students not to be ashamed of their poor family background and strive to be successful in life.

“If you continue to work hard and excel in education, it will help you climb out of poverty. This is the most effective way for you to help your families,” Ong said, reminding them to come back to serve the community.

Ong said the MCA was grateful to the Government, especially the Prime Minister, which took into consideration “household income” besides excellent results.

“Most of the students who obtain scholarships are either outstanding students from the low income group or children of single parents. We will continue to assist qualified students, especially those from hard-core poor families,” he said.

Ong said he hoped that the successful candidates would appreciate the scholarships and study hard.

“Through the MCA's efforts in the last seven years alone, the PSD has offered more than 2,100 scholarships to deserving Chinese students. The MCA will continue to assist such students as they would be able to contribute back to the country,” Ong said.

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