Education key to human capital devt

Special Reports Published on: Saturday, February 02, 2013 Education key to human capital devt  WHILE thriving rapidly in progress to achieve a high standard of living for its people, while improving the quality of their lives, the development issues of the state beg a fundamental question of, "How could we mobilise our people to transform them into outstanding performers and dynamic contributors to the building of this nation?" The answer to this challenging question is; "Human Capital Development is the key to the development dimension of the state and the nation. One of the key elements of Human Capital Development is education whereby the provision of formal education is regarded as a productive investment. The Yayasan Sabah Group (YSG) established through Enactment No. 8 in the Sabah State Legislative Assembly in 1966 was created for the similar purpose of providing education and educational facilities for all Malaysians in Sabah. Today, with vast improvement in access to education in Sabah, the YSG continues to provide educational opportunities and educational facilities in the state, especially in the form of scholarships and loans to those in need. Apart from providing educational opportunities and educational facilities, the YSG also runs its Social Development Programmes, which among others include the intellectual and mind development as part of the core of the YSG's social activities. The programmes are carried-out through the YSG's six-zone offices. The programmes are channelled through three levels of studies i.e. starting from kindergarten and primary school, to secondary and tertiary education, and lifelong education. The YSG's Child Development Centre functions as a 'mentor' by providing expert consultancy and resource for early pre-school education. Its formal and non-formal education incorporates children's intellectual and mind development programmes. Those undergoing formal educations which are mostly on Yayasan Sabah scholarships, is provided with hostel accommodation and youth training courses. The YSG's educational programmes supplement and complement the activities of the government to promote and uplift the quality of education and educational facilities for the people of Sabah. The core of the educational development programme is to provide financial assistance through scholarships and loans for students to continue their secondary and tertiary education in selected fields of studies as determined from time to time based on the manpower needs of the state. In 2012 alone, RM3.4 million was spent on not less than 15 types of wide ranging educational scholarships which had benefited a total of 193 students. From 1970 until 2011, the YSG had spent a total of RM209 million for its tertiary scholarship programme, which benefited 4,640 students. A further RM178 million was spent on educational loans between 1968 and 2011, which benefited a total of 8,362 students. YSG also offers scholarship to students who obtain 5As in the UPSR examination to further their studies to Secondary One at boarding school in Peninsular Malaysia. As of 2012, 5,295 students benefited from this particular scholarship scheme since it was introduced back in 1968 with a total expenditure of RM53.6 million. Additionally, scholarships are also given to students from Sarawak to further their Form One study at selected boarding schools in Sabah, while Yayasan Sarawak offers similar sponsorships to Sabah's students to further their secondary education in Sarawak. To date, a total of 432 students were involved in the student exchange programme which cost the YSG RM3 million which in part is utilised to subsidise the Rural-Urban Student Exchange Programme as well. Bursaries are offered to students taking up courses at a certificate level at either Universiti Technologi MARA or any Polytechnics in Malaysia. The YSG conducts career and counselling programmes, which are organised yearly through seminars, workshops and camps at various selected centres throughout the state. The target groups are students, educators, parents and members of the public. Speakers from related agencies and institutions of higher learning are invited to deliver talks, such as motivational talks, effective communication, decision-making skills and choosing the right field of studies to the target groups. YSG also built hostels in various districts throughout the state for the rural students to be able to attend schools in the urban areas. Additionally, in order to provide accommodation for Sabah's students pursuing their studies in the Middle East, the YSG has also acquired building's hostels in Alexandria and Cairo, Egypt. Another important facility provided by the YSG in harnessing knowledge to students, and the public is the Tun Haji Mohd. Fuad Stephens Borneo Research Library. The library was officially opened to the public on 6 June 1980. Apart from being a source of information for the YSG, the library also acts as the institutional archives and repository of materials and documents for the YSG. Equally important, it provides services and facilities to students pursuing tertiary education in Sabah. The library now has 72 thousand copies of books as well as a collection of 69 titles of serials, and 13 online databases such as EBSCO, BLIS, ebrary, EB-Online and others. In line with the objective of the YSG in enhancing the quality of life of Malaysians in Sabah, the library also undertakes strategic initiatives to function as a primary information resource centre - contributing towards establishing a knowledge-economic (K-Economic) society. To date, the library is part of the K@Borneo initiative which focuses on the regional cooperation on the development and sharing of information on Borneo with participating institutions from Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. The Sabah State Scholarship Award of Excellence is offered to students from Sabah, who obtained excellent results in the SPM examination. This award is an accolade of their success and is brought-about to spur other students to achieve similar success in their SPM examination. Since its introduction in 1990 and up until 2012, the YSG had spent RM42 million for the BCNS where a total of 508 students was awarded with this prestigious award. In recalling his BCNS days, Alvin Wong Shen Siang from Kg. Takis, Papar said, "I was totally ecstatic after receiving the BCNS letter of award from the YSG." Alvin received his BCNS award back in 2006 due to the success of his SPM 2005 where he scored a total of 10As and 1B during his days at the Maktab Rendah Sains Mara, Kota Kinabalu. "The award was the ticket I needed in achieving my dream of becoming a biotechnologist," recalled Alvin fondly. He then proceeded to Aimst University, Sg. Petani, Kedah in 2007 where he graduated with a Bsc. (Hons) degree in Biotechnology in 2010. "Personally, I want to express my gratitude to the YSG in enabling me to achieve my lifelong ambition while lightening the burden of my parents," said Alvin. "The YSG has been enriching the lives of a lot of people in the past and present, and I really hope that YSG will continue its philanthropist deeds for the future success of the state of Sabah," added Alvin. Alvin is now pursuing his postgraduate studies in Universiti Malaya in the field of Medical Science. Meanwhile, Dr. Siti Zarina Jahan who completed her SPM in 2004, was offered the BCNS in 2005 for the purpose of studying medicine in Universiti Malaya in the same year. The second child of three scored 8As and 2Bs whilst studying in Sekolah Menengah Sains Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu and was sent to Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan (KML) in 2005 to complete her matriculations. "After KML I continued my studies at Universiti Malaya in 2006 until 2011 where I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Medicine and Surgery," said Zarina recalling her history of education. In commenting on the BCNS award Zarina said, "I really hope that the YSG will continue providing educational scholarships and assistance to the people of the state while living up to its great reputation as the purveyor of being a dynamic, people oriented, caring and committed organisation. Zarina is now attached to the Surgery Unit of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu. Another past recipient of the BCNS is Dr. Renddy Amin, who hails from Tamparuli. He obtained his BCNS scholarship back in 2005 after scoring 8A's and 1B in the 2003 SPM examination which he took in SM Sains Sultan Mahmud, Kuala Terengganu. While attending Kolej Matrikulasi Labuan in 2004 for his matriculation, it was then that Renddy was awarded with the BCNS which enables him to enter Universiti Malaya in 2005 to complete his degree in Medicine. "I was truly overjoyed when I was selected for the award," said Renddy. "Even my families were extremely happy," recalled Renddy. "I hope those taking SPM this year will concentrate fully on their subjects and making extra efforts towards achieving great success later," affirmed Renddy. Renddy is now working as a Medical Officer at Hospital Kunak, Tawau and hopes that the YSG will produce even more professionals in the future as Sabah has the potential to be a hub for skilled workforce subsequently. "May all the efforts done by the YSG in uplifting the quality of life in the state, especially in the field of education be sustained for all times," said Renddy. All in all, the unwavering contribution by the YSG to the people of Sabah has shown positive results. Since its inception 47 years ago, the YSG has been firmly committed to and fully active in human capital development while staying true to its mission in improving the quality of life of Malaysians in Sabah through education, a commitment proven and honoured time and time for the people. Ref: Daily Express