Not all hopeful about merit scholarship

(The Malaysian Insider) – Laura Foong scored 12 As in her O-levels three years ago but her application for an overseas government scholarship was rejected.

But Foong was offered a scholarship by the National University of Singapore and University of Melbourne.

“I have accepted the offer from University of Melbourne to study science and I will be leaving (Malaysia) soon,” said the 20-year-old, who has just completed her A-levels in a private college.

Foong is among many top non-Bumiputera students who applied for but were denied overseas government scholarships. In fact, many of them are upset that those with poorer results were awarded scholarships instead.

The government has been trying to tackle this problem by reducing the Bumiputera quota from about 85 per cent to 56 per cent last year.

Ten years ago, only about 15 per cent of non-Malay students received government scholarships to study abroad. This rose to 44 per cent this year, reflecting closely the population ratios.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak recently announced a new National Scholarship based on merit to be implemented next year. This will add to existing ones and create more opportunities for high achievers. But there have been mixed reactions to the plan.

The policy is good but the problem always lies with the government's implementation system, noted Educational, Welfare and Research Foundation Malaysia president S.P. Pathi.

He felt that the policy would not stop the brain drain and top students would still choose foreign scholarships.

“As long as they do not improve the implementation system, our top students will continue to be tapped by other countries. If our government can convince our students that the merit-based system prevails, people will flock to our country to study,” Pathi told The Straits Times.

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