PM: Education Top Priority | Star

Co-curricular development, innovation and academic performance-focused education will continue to be a major challenge for governments.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the quest for knowledge is being challenged by Covid-19, but the education system has reoriented accordingly. Program (PESP) ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center on September 20.

Ismail Sabri noted that online learning is not easy, but students are up to the task.

“This method of learning requires a high level of concentration, motivation, self-discipline and a positive attitude towards learning, but the students achieved excellent results,” says PETRONAS sponsors. To about 600 students he got, he said. He emphasized the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

He said it is necessary to consider the direction of STEM in preparation for the fourth industrial revolution.

“Malaysia must keep up in the STEM sector so that it remains competitive at the global level,” he said.

Ismail Sabri pointed out that the number of students in STEM is currently 47%, compared to 19% in Pure Science.

On a separate issue, Ismail Sabri announced that PETRONAS will increase two categories of allowances for sponsored students to cope with the rising cost of living.

He said this will benefit the 2,267 academics studying at home and abroad.

The two categories are books and learning materials allowance and recruit training allowance.

“This support is expected to ease the burden on students and parents and further facilitate the learning process for students,” he said.

The allowance for books and study materials will be increased from RM1,000 to RM1,500 for Malaysian students and an additional RM500 for international students.

Meanwhile, the onboarding allowance for new scholars will be increased from RM4,500 to RM5,000.

The ceremony was also attended by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, Deputy Education Minister II Datuk Mohamad Alamin and PETRONAS President Tan Sri Mohd Bakke Salleh.

This year, PETRONAS sponsored 600 outstanding Sigil Perajjaran Malaysia (SPM) 2021 students to pursue higher education.

Of that number, nearly 80% of scholars are disadvantaged students.

This year, the company has awarded the highest number of sponsorships in a single year, with an investment of over RM340 million.

Sponsorship recipients will be able to pursue higher education in chemical engineering, petroleum engineering, mechanical engineering, earth sciences, economics, law and other industry-related courses at the Petronas University of Technology (UTP) and other leading Australian local and international universities. pursue in college. , China, Japan, UK, USA.

Since 1975, more than 37,000 outstanding Malaysian students, including 1,720 currently enrolled in the program, have benefited from sponsorships worth more than RM3.5 billion.