PFF 2019 Selection Interview was held on on 1 August (Mutiara Scholar), 5 and 6 August (Penang Scholar) 2019 at Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC). This is a face-to-face panel interview headed by members of the PFF Selection Committee and leaders from industry, academia and community. Shortlisted PFF 2019 applicants were required to attend the interview for their final round of evaluation for PFF Scholarship 2019.

Waiting Area

Waiting Area

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has announced that application for PFF 2019 will be opened from 31 May to 20 June 2019 during a press conference held on 25 March 2019.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow shared, “PFF provides fruitful opportunities for our future Malaysian leaders. We hope to attract, build and retain human talent in Penang. We intend to engage industry players and form strategic partnerships”.

Buletin Mutiara’s video link: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=407257523426077

In our effort to have continuous engagement and to build stronger bond between all PFF scholars (PFF 2017, 2016, and 2015 batches) and the state of Penang, a 2 Day 1 Night 2018 PFF Bootcamp has been organized on 17 and 18 August 2018 at Olive Tree Hotel. A training on “Interpersonal Skills Through DISC” has been conducted by Leaderonomics during the bootcamp. Scholars had been given a Bootcamp Challenge – “Greener Penang”, a project for them to develop a marketing campaign to promote Penang as a livable green city and to present their projects during the bootcamp. Among the 12 teams formed by the bootcamp participants, the top 3 selected teams were to perform their projects during PFF Luncheon on 18 August 2018 in front of around 300 audiences.

On the second day of the bootcamp, PFF has invited Mr. Bock Kim Lee from Sandisk/WD, Dr. Lim Kim Hwa from Cammillion, Mr. Heng Fook Main from Ceedtec, Ms. Azian Wahab from National Instruments, and Mr. Walter Lee from Venturetec as speakers for sharing sessions to speak on the topics of “Industry 4.0 – Will Robot Takeover Our World”, “Blockchain and Fintech: Is this the new world order”, “Dare to Dream? Entreprenuer Journey”, “How To be A Star Employee?” and “The entrepreneurial journey of an accidental chef” respectively.

The main highlight of the bootcamp was PFF Luncheon on 18 August which was hosted by the Right Honorable Chief Minister of Penang, also the lead PFF Selection Committee – YAB Tuan Chow Kon Yeow to thank PFF Selection Committee members and co-interviewers/industry leaders to making PFF a success. All attended PFF scholars, PFF Selection Committee members and co-interviewers/industry leaders, PFF Secretariat and invited guests had joined for the PFF Luncheon which was found as a great platform for all to establish their networks. Programs for the evening had also included Souvenirs-giving to PFF Graduates, Performances from PFF Scholars and Networking Session between Industry Players and PFF Scholars.

Time for all shortlisted candidates to face their final round of evaluation – the face-to-face panel interview! 2018 PFF Selection Interview has been held on 2 August for Mutiara Scholars followed by 6 & 7 August for Penang Scholars at Penang Institute, Brown Road. The interview sessions were headed by members of the PFF Selection Committee and leaders from industry, academia and community.

Interview waiting area

Interview scenes

Group Photo of 2018 PFF Selection Interviewers

The PFF organizes PFF Luncheon annually to thank the Selection Committee and co-interviewers for their contribution and support for the PFF Scholarship Program. For 2017, the PFF Thank You Dinner was held at Suffolk House, Penang. Amongst the attendees were Members of the PFF Selection Committee, PFF 2017 Co-Interviewers, PFF Graduates and PFF 2017 Bootcamp Working Committee.

The Thank You Dinner saw the presence of the Right Honorable Chief Minister of Penang, also the lead PFF Selection Committee- Mr. Lim Guan Eng. Programs for the evening included Souvenirs-giving to PFF Graduates, Performances from PFF Scholars and Networking Session between Industry Players and PFF Scholars.

In our continuous effort to stem the brain drain and nurture future talent pipeline, PFF puts in great effort to develop our scholars. One of the annual events- PFF Bootcamp is the time when we gather all our scholars (for Year 2017, it was batch 2015 and batch 2016) in a place and provide them with the necessary training.

The main objectives for PFF Bootcamp are:

1. To align scholars on PFF’s objectives and State’s vision, plans and programs.
2. To encourage camaraderie amongst scholars and strengthen the alumni bond
3. To develop the scholars through soft skills training eg: leadership and communication skills.

During the 2 Day 1 Night PFF Bootcamp (2017), a professional trainer from JORA was hired to provide soft-skills training to the scholars followed by Bootcamp Challenge and sharing sessions by industry players. In the PFF Bootcamp 2017 Challenge, scholars were tasked to make a short video with the aim in promoting Penang as the place to work and live. The event was attended by 147 PFF Scholars and was held on 26 & 27 August 2017 at Paradise Beach Resort.