YAYASAN SIME DARBY AWARDS RM10.4 MILLION IN
SCHOLARSHIPS TO 88 SCHOLARS
As Malaysia celebrates its independence, YSD commits to fostering a future where education continues to drive societal integration and economic empowerment. Reflecting on the nationalcelebration of Jiwa Merdeka, the ceremony highlighted how YSD education scholarships help liberate scholars from socio-economic constraints, empowering them to contribute meaningfully to Malaysia’s socio-economic development.
Speaking at the ceremony, YSD Chairman Tunku Imran emphasised, “Every year, as we award and celebrate our new scholars, I am struck by the potential that fills the hall. In addition, the stories of these young individuals are constant reminders of why we do what we do here at YSD. Every scholarship we award is a chapter in a larger story of hope, hard work, and our belief in them as the architects of our community and nation. It is both our privilege and responsibility to support them, ensuring that every talented individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity and the tools to pursue their dreams and the chance to turn those dreams into reality.
Among the scholars was Tan Min Heng, who recently won a bronze medal at the International Mathematical Olympiad in Bath, United Kingdom. Tan’s journey from Penang to studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, is being made possible with YSD’s support.
Arif Alauddin Wafi and Harish Varman Rao are two more scholars awarded the YSD Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship to pursue their studies at Imperial College London and Columbia University, respectively. Arif will study Mechanical Engineering, while Harish pursues a degree in Electrical Engineering.
Eireen Syafeeya was also awarded the YSD Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship to study Data Science at Universiti Malaya (UM). Eireen balances her studies with competitive golf, demonstrated through her participation in the YSD-Malaysian Ladies Golf Association (MALGA) Girl’s Golf Development Programme and her recent participation in SUKMA 2024 representing Perlis.
During the event, YSD also awarded 20 scholars with disabilities and mostly from underprivileged backgrounds under the YSD Special Needs Bursary Programme.
Among the recipients was Nurin Amalin who is visually impaired, yet a star in both academic and sports. She is pursuing a degree in Malay Literature at Universiti Putra Malaysia and recently won a bronze medal in Goalball at the 2023 ASEAN Para Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Lim Yee Jin, a para-chess athlete from Johor, and Muhammad Harith Najmi Bin Khairulnizam, an advocate for disability rights, are also among the bursary recipients.
The ceremony also highlighted the support extended to 30 recipients under the Employees’ Children Education Programmes, including Nur Iman Nabilah, Muhammed Adel Abrar, and Muhammad Afiq, who each demonstrate determination amidst socio-economic challenges.
24 employees of SD Guthrie Berhad, Sime Darby Berhad, and Sime Darby Property Berhad also were awarded scholarships under the Employees Education programme, three of whom will pursue the Executive MBA Programme at the Asia School of Business in collaboration with the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Recognising the growing importance of vocational skills in bolstering the nation’s economic and educational strategies, YSD will be awarding 280 more bursaries for TVET education to youth from B40 families through the YSD Skill Enrichment Programme by the end of 2024. This will be added to the nearly 1,500 TVET students awarded with RM37.4 million worth of
bursaries since 2007.
In addition to the scholarships and bursaries awarded, YSD scholars are given access to the YSD THRIVE Programme as a comprehensive scholar development programme unique to the foundation. Through the holistic support soft skills training, mentorship, resilient leadership development, industrial internships, volunteerism opportunities, and access to an e-learning
platform, all YSD scholars are empowered to excel academically and professionally as allrounded and socially aware individuals.
Since 1982, YSD’s commitment to educational excellence and inclusivity has established its role as a cultivator of a sustainable cadre of industry leaders to drive Malaysia’s economic and
industrial growth forward.
Interested students are invited to apply for the next cycle of scholarships in March next year on YSD's website.
