THE Penang government, through its Penang Future Foundation (PFF), has awarded approximately 700 scholarships to eligible individuals at a projected value of RM38.81 million since 2015, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said.
While more youths in Penang are in dire need of financial assistance to either start or complete their tertiary studies, Chow said PFF’s depleting funds was a concern of late.
“The state government will try to support PFF as much as possible, but there is only so much that we can do on our own.
“I take this opportunity to encourage industry players to step forward and generously contribute towards making PFF a hallmark of collective effort.
“As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’, but in this case, I believe it takes a sound education for all to grow this nation for future generations,” Chow said in his speech during the PFF dinner at Olive Tree Hotel in Bayan Lepas today.
The dinner was held to honour co-interviewers of the 2020 – 2022 PFF Selection Process Committee, industry captains, PFF alumni members and scholars.
In a related matter, Chow said talent retention has always been the main thrust of setting up this scholarship initiative.
“To date, 212 PFF scholars have completed their service bond while 211 others are in the process of fulfilling this requirement.
“Dear scholars, this PFF fund that has been spent on you is not someone’s free fortune.
“Instead, this privilege comes with a responsibility on your part – that you fulfil your service bond for the required period,” Chow added.
Despite PFF being a state government initiative, PFF scholars are most welcomed, but not constrained to join the state’s civil service.
Subject to the scholarship’s terms and conditions, a PFF scholar is also given the freedom to seek employment with industry players so long as the prospective employer is registered and based in Penang.
Chow, who is also the PFF Selection Committee chairman, congratulated all the 347 scholars who successfully graduated between 2020 and 2023.
“We are very proud of your achievements, and I trust each one of you will continue to excel and perform your role in making Penang better,” Chow added.
During the dinner, three scholars were called on stage to receive certificates of appreciation from Chow, representing the 347 scholars.
Several scholars were then called to share their experiences of being PFF scholars, their life journey and their current working experiences.
Among those who took the stage was Isaac Calvin Silvester, who currently works as an engineer in a multinational company in Bayan Lepas.
Also present during the dinner were Deputy Chief Minister I Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, PFF Selection Committee members Datuk Seri Nazir Ariff, Datuk Loo Lee Lian, Dr Lim Kim-Hwa, Datuk Danny Goon and Penang Chief Minister special investment adviser Datuk Seri Lee Kah Choon.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Alissala Thian
Video by Siew Chia En