Latest news with #BKNS
Daily Express
8 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Scholarships for pre-U studies
Published on: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 22, 2025 By: Larry Ralon, Rahim Matnin Text Size: Hajiji posing with the scholarship recipients and students. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah State Scholarship (BKNS) is offering scholarships to students pursuing foundation, matriculation and A-level studies beginning this year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. 'Apart from that, the scholarship allowance for all sponsored students currently studying in public and private universities will also be standardised. 'This initiative is part of BKNS' ongoing commitment to support the development of education in the State to ensure that more promising students gain access to higher education,' he said. Speaking at the Sabah Excellence Scholarship Award presentation ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Monday, the Chief Minister said this year, the State Government has allocated the highest amount for scholarships compared to previous years. 'From only RM50 million in 2020, the BKNS allocation has continued to increase year by year over the past five years, reaching RM136 million in 2025. 'This marks an increase of RM86 million from 2019, reflecting the State Government's commitment to supporting the education of young Sabahans,' he said. The Chief Minister said the State Government has made significant investments to implement various initiatives in the development of education in the State, benefiting a total of 13,550 students from 2021 to 2024. He said the Yayasan Sabah Group's commitment was evident, with an allocation of RM67.17 million for the education sector last year, benefiting 3,234 students. It represented a significant increase of 148.96 per cent compared to only RM26.98 million in 2020, he said, adding that some 10,104 recipients benefited from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) that he had launched in June 2022, involving a total expenditure of RM15.8 million. He said through the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) Zakat and Fitrah Division, more than 48,000 students across Sabah have benefited over the past five years, with a total expenditure of RM92.4 million. Hajiji said the initiative will help to improve the education standards of young Sabahans and support the development of quality human capital. He reiterated that in line with efforts to strengthen and diversify education aid initiatives in the State, various types of assistance have been implemented through the Deputy State Secretary (Special Task) Office. This year alone, he said, a total of RM77.5 million has been allocated to fund 14 educational assistance initiatives, among them were the One-Off IPT Registration Cash Aid (Budi); Computer Assistance Initiative (Baik); Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (GRS-Subfly); and Sentosa - aid for students studying in higher learning institutions in Sabah. These education assistance initiatives were also supported by agencies such as the Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah and the Sabah Baitulmal Corporation, he said. Hajiji said the various educational assistance initiatives provided through different departments and agencies reflected the State Government's strong commitment to safeguarding the welfare and future of young Sabahans. 'We will continue to ensure that the people's wellbeing is always protected and given due attention, regardless of their background. To our youths, study diligently and strive for greater excellence. 'Explore professional fields such as oil, gas and energy, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI), to produce highly skilled and quality individuals from Sabah across various sectors,' he said. Hajiji hoped this award would serve as a strong motivation for the students to excel further and at the same time help elevate Sabah's name on the national and international stage. 'I would also like to remind all recipients not to let this award become a reason for complacency. Instead, let it be an aspiration to continue striving for excellence, in support of the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda and the national Madani vision. 'Students who receive this excellent scholarship award carry a greater responsibility and trust in the future. This includes being exemplary role models to their peers, not easily influenced by sentiments, excessive rhetoric or matters that could ultimately harm our State and country,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
20 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Scholarship for foundation, matriculation and A-level students too
Joyce KOTA KINABALU (July 21): The Sabah State Scholarship (BKNS) is offering scholarships to students pursuing foundation, matriculation and A-level studies beginning this year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor. 'Apart from that, the scholarship allowance for all sponsored students currently studying in public and private universities will also be standardised. 'This initiative is part of BKNS's ongoing commitment to support the development of education in the state to ensure that more promising students gain access to higher education,' he said. Speaking at the Sabah Excellence Scholarship Award presentation ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre here today, the Chief Minister said this year, the State Government has allocated the highest amount for scholarships compared to previous years. 'From only RM50 million in 2020, the BKNS allocation has continued to increase year by year over the past five years, reaching RM136 million in 2025. 'This marks an increase of RM86 million from 2019, reflecting the State Government's commitment to supporting the education of Sabah's children,' he said. Azhar The Chief Minister said the State Government has made significant investments to implement various initiatives in the development of education in the state benefiting a total of 13,550 students from 2021 to 2024. Meanwhile, he noted that the Yayasan Sabah Group's commitment was evident, with an allocation of RM67.17 million for the education sector last year, benefiting 3,234 students. It represented a significant increase of 148.96 per cent compared to only RM26.98 million in 2020, he said, adding that some 10,104 recipients benefited from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) that he had launched in June 2022, involving a total expenditure of RM15.8 million. He said that through the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) Zakat and Fitrah Division, more than 48,000 students across Sabah have benefited over the past five years, with a total expenditure of RM92.4 million. Hajiji said the initiative will help to improve the education standards of Sabah's children and support the development of quality human capital. He also reiterated that, in line with efforts to strengthen and diversify education aid initiatives in the state, various types of assistance have been implemented through the office of the Deputy State Secretary (Special Task). This year alone, he said, a total of RM77.5 million has been allocated to fund 14 educational assistance initiatives, among them were the One-Off IPT Registration Cash Aid (BUDI); Computer Assistance Initiative (BAIK); Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (GRS-SUBFLY); and SENTOSA – aid for students in local higher learning institutes. These education assistance initiatives were also supported by agencies such as the Yayasan Kebajikan Sabah and the Sabah Baitulmal Corporation, he said. Hajiji said the various educational assistance initiatives provided through different departments and agencies reflected the State Government's strong commitment to safeguarding the welfare and future of Sabah's children. 'We will continue to ensure that the people's well-being is always protected and given due attention, regardless of their background. To our youth, study diligently and strive for greater excellence. 'Explore professional fields such as oil, gas and energy, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as Artificial Intelligence (AI), to produce highly skilled and quality individuals from Sabah across various sectors,' he said. Hajiji hoped that this award would serve as a strong motivation for the students to excel further and at the same time, help elevate the name of Sabah on the national and international stage. 'I would also like to remind all recipients not to let this award become a reason for complacency. Instead, let it be an aspiration to continue striving for excellence, in support of the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda and the national Madani vision. 'Students who receive this excellent scholarship award carry a greater responsibility and trust in the future. This includes being exemplary role models to their peers, not easily influenced by sentiments, excessive rhetoric, or matters that could ultimately harm our state and country,' he said. Among the scholarship recipients was Joyce Nicole Nicholas Mojugit, who is currently studying Foundation in Science at UiTM Dengkil, Selangor. 'This scholarship will ease my family's burden — from tuition fees to accommodation, airfare, and food,' said the former SMK Bahang Penampang student, who scored 9As in the SPM. She expressed her gratitude, sharing that her mother, a single parent raising three children, was extremely proud. 'I didn't even apply for this scholarship. I was in the middle of applying for the BKNS (State Government Scholarship) when my counselling teacher told me I had been selected,' she said. Joyce described her university experience as positive and shared advice for this year's SPM candidates: 'Make sure to get enough sleep. It's hard to focus without rest. All-nighters aren't sustainable — rest well to do well.' Another recipient, Azhar Azlin, who is pursuing foundation studies at Universiti Malaya and is a former SMK Majakir Papar student, said he felt deeply honoured. 'It makes all the hard work worth it. I'm thankful to my parents for their prayers and to my teachers. I know they're proud, even if they don't show it directly — I can feel it,' he said. Azhar also offered advice to other students, including his younger siblings: 'Have a purpose in your heart for why you're going to school, and never forget it. My motto has always been: 'Aim for the skies, so if you fall, it'll be on the mountaintops.'
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Sabah begins offering scholarships for foundation, matriculation and A-level students
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah State Scholarship (BKNS) will now offer scholarships to students pursuing foundation, matriculation and A-level studies beginning this year, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. "Apart from that, the scholarship allowance for all sponsored students currently studying in public and private universities will also be standardised," he said. He said the initiative was part of BKNS's ongoing commitment to support the development of education in the state to ensure that more promising students gain access to higher education. Speaking at the Sabah Excellence Scholarship Award presentation ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Monday (July 21), Hajiji said this year, the State Government has allocated the highest amount for scholarships compared to previous years. "From only RM50mil in 2020, the BKNS allocation has continued to increase year by year over the past five years, reaching RM136mil in 2025. "This marks an increase of RM86mil from 2019, reflecting the state government's commitment to supporting the education of Sabah's children," he added. Hajiji said that the state government had made significant investments to implement various initiatives to develop education in the state, benefiting 13,550 students from 2021 to 2024. Meanwhile, he noted that the Sabah Foundation Group's commitment was evident, with an allocation of RM67.17mil for the education sector last year, benefiting 3,234 students. "It represented a significant increase of 148.96% compared to only RM26.98mil in 2020, he said, adding that some 10,104 recipients benefited from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) that he had launched in June 2022, involving a total expenditure of RM15.8mil. The Chief Minister also disclosed that under the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS) Zakat and Fitrah division, more than 48,000 students across Sabah have benefited over the past five years, with a total expenditure of RM92.4mil. Hajiji said the initiative will help to improve the education standards of Sabah's children and support the development of quality human capital. "We will continue to ensure that the people's well-being is always protected and given due attention, regardless of their background. "We want them to explore professional fields such as oil, gas and energy, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), as well as artificial intelligence (AI), to produce highly skilled and quality individuals from Sabah across various sectors," he added.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
BKNS expands to include foundation, matriculation and A-level studies
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 Text Size: Hajiji with some of the recipients. - Pic by CMD KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has expanded its scholarship programme to include students pursuing foundation, matriculation, and A-level studies under the Sabah State Scholarship (BKNS) scheme beginning this year. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the scholarship allowance for all recipients in public and private universities would also be standardised as part of efforts to enhance education access and support. Advertisement Speaking at the Sabah Excellence Scholarship Award presentation ceremony, he noted that the state has allocated a record RM136 million for BKNS in 2025, compared to RM50 million in 2020. From 2021 to 2024, a total of 13,550 students have benefited from various state-funded educational initiatives, reflecting a steady increase in investment in education development. The Yayasan Sabah Group also allocated RM67.17 million in 2024 to support 3,234 students, while the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS), launched in June 2022, has aided over 10,000 recipients with RM15.8 million. Additionally, more than 48,000 students have received support worth RM92.4 million over five years through the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) tithe fund. Hajiji urged scholarship recipients to continue striving for excellence and explore future-oriented fields such as energy, Tvet and AI, while reminding them to be role models in support of the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda and the national Madani vision. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Express
Record RM136 million for students: Chief Minister
Published on: Monday, July 21, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 21, 2025 Text Size: Mohd Arifin presents the Domestic Higher Education Student Contribution (SENTOSA) at the ceremony held at the Chancellor Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah on Sunday. Kota Kinabalu: The State Government continues to strengthen its commitment to higher education through various targeted initiatives, including the largest allocation to date — RM136 million — for the Sabah State Government Scholarships (BKNS) this year. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Haji Noor said the significant increase from RM50 million in 2020 reflects the government's determination to ensure access to higher education is available to all Sabahans, regardless of their socio-economic background. Advertisement 'This is a long-term investment by the government to develop a high-quality and competitive human capital. 'We do not want Sabah's youth to be left behind in education simply due to financial constraints,' he said during presentation ceremony for Sabah-Based Higher Education Students Aid Contribution (Sentosa) at the Chancellor Hall, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), on Sunday. His speech was delivered by State Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin bin Datuk Mohd Arif. Hajiji said 4,170 students would benefit from BKNS sponsorships this year, in line with the goals of the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development policy to strengthen the education sector as a pillar of the state's progress. Hajiji who is also UMS Pro-Chancellor said that this year alone, the State Government has allocated RM77.5 million to implement 13 education aid initiatives, benefiting schools, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), students from institutions of higher learning, as well as Sabah student associations both locally and abroad. He added that key initiatives include the one-off IPT Registration Cash Aid (BUDI), the Computer Assistance Program (BAIK), the Sabah Malaysian Student Secretariat (SEMESTA), and the Sabah Student Flight Ticket Assistance (GRS-SUBFLY). He said Yayasan Sabah has also played a significant role in educational development, allocating RM67.17 million last year, which benefited 3,234 students. Through the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis) RM92.4 million was disbursed over the past five years via the Zakat and Fitrah Division, helping more than 48,000 students across the State. To ensure continued education support, the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS), introduced in June 2022, has benefited nearly 10,104 recipients with a total expenditure of RM15.8 million to date. He said the Sentosa assistance program, launched in March at the Gaya Campus of the Institute of Teacher Education (IPG), involves a RM6 million allocation and targets approximately 20,000 Bumiputera Sabah students within the State. 'This assistance aims to ease students' financial burden, especially for basic necessities or returning home. It also reflects the government's strong commitment to ensuring no student is left behind in their educational journey,' he said. At the event, Hajiji handed out a one-time cash aid of RM300 per student under the Sentosa program to over 600 students, including 319 from UMS and 323 from Mahsa College Sabah, who had not previously received the aid. 'I hope the students will fully utilize the assistance provided and continue striving for excellence in their respective fields, for the future of the state and the nation,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
