Sabah boosts higher education with RM136 million scholarship
KOTA KINABALU (July 20): The State Government continues to strengthen its commitment to higher education development through targeted initiatives, including the highest-ever allocation of RM136 million this year for the Sabah State Government Scholarship (BKNS).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said the significant increase from RM50 million in 2020 to RM136 million this year reflects the government's determination to ensure that all Sabahans have access to higher education, regardless of their socio-economic background.
'This is the government's long-term investment in developing high-quality and competitive human capital.
We do not want Sabah's children to be left behind in education simply because of financial constraints,' he said.
His speech was delivered by Science, Technology and Innovation Minister cum Education Exco, Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, during the presentation ceremony of the Sumbangan Mahasiswa Pengajian Tinggi Dalam Negeri Sabah (SENTOSA) at Dewan Canselor, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) on Sunday.
Hajiji said a total of 4,170 students will benefit from BKNS sponsorships this year, in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) policy, which positions education as a key pillar of the state's progress.
He added that RM77.5 million has also been allocated this year for 13 educational aid initiatives, benefiting schools, Parent-Teacher Associations (PIBG), students in higher learning institutions (IPT), as well as Sabah student associations within and outside Malaysia.
Among the key initiatives are the one-off Bantuan Tunai Pendaftaran IPT (BUDI), the Bantuan Ihsan Komputer (BAIK), the Sekretariat Mahasiswa Sabah Malaysia (SEMESTA), and the Bantuan Tiket Penerbangan Pelajar Sabah (GRS-SUBFLY).
In addition, Yayasan Sabah contributed RM67.17 million last year for educational development, benefitting 3,234 students. Meanwhile, the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS), through its Zakat and Fitrah Division, has disbursed RM92.4 million over the past five years, helping more than 48,000 students.
The Tabung Pendidikan Negeri Sabah (TPNS), introduced in June 2022, has assisted nearly 10,104 recipients, with a total expenditure of RM15.8 million.
The SENTOSA aid programme, launched last March at IPG Gaya Campus, involves an allocation of RM6 million and aims to benefit 20,000 Bumiputera Sabah students in local higher education institutions.
'This assistance aims to ease students' financial burden, particularly for essential needs and travel costs. It also reflects the government's commitment to ensuring no student is left behind,' he said.
At the event, Hajiji presented the one-off SENTOSA cash aid of RM300 each to over 600 students — comprising 319 from UMS and 323 from MAHSA College Sabah — who had not previously received the assistance.
'I hope the students will fully utilise the aid provided and continue striving for excellence in their respective fields for the future of the state and the nation,' he added.
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'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. 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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. 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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.'
