Receiving the Penang Future Foundation (PFF) scholarship was an unexpected oasis in my family’s desert of financial difficulties. Given that my mother is no longer able to work due to health issues, my father became our family’s sole breadwinner. With three daughters studying in universities, the fees alone would take a huge chunk of his income. As a daughter, I am exceptionally thankful that being awarded the PFF scholarship would mean alleviating my father’s financial burden. As a university student, the PFF scholarship inspires me to give my very best in achieving scholastic excellence. The day I received the e-mail notifying that I was successfully chosen as one of the PFF scholars will always be remembered with gratitude.

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Game Design. The course requires students to be equipped with top-of the-range laptops as we will heavily utilize software for editing and designing projects. This unfortunately translates into additional expenditures, which I could not afford on my father’s income alone.  I had tried to use my old laptop but it was simply impossible to support the software that my lecturer requires us to install. My laptop worked its hardest but it was honestly not a match for the heavy projects that I had to execute.  I found myself having to redo the projects again and again as the laptop would just automatically shut down before I could press the ‘Save’ button. Thankfully, the monthly allowance I receive as a PFF scholar came in handy for purchase of a new laptop as well as settling my university dormitory rent! No longer beset by earlier frustrations, I  can now freely illustrate my design ideas with a peace of mind.

Apart from academic pursuit, I am also active in sports. My favourite sport is Taekwondo, which I joined since  primary school days and participated in many tournaments. I was even selected to participate in the 2014 SUKMA which was held in Perlis. Continuing my involvement in Taekwondo, I joined the Sultan Idris Educational University’s Taekwondo team and represented my university in tournaments. I take immense pride in being both a PFF scholar and a Taekwondo athlete at the same time, proving that you can study and play hard!

As a PFF scholar, it is a requirement that we fulfil a service bond upon the completion of our studies by working in Penang. I don’t find this daunting as Penang has always been at the forefront in being a melting-pot of talents. By being a Penangite myself, I am constantly exposed to Penang’s campaigns, including “My Penang, My Workplace”. Apart from me contributing towards my beloved state, Penang punches well above her weight with the presence of many multi-national companies on both island and mainland. I am confident that I do not need to leave Penang’s shores for a better future, as a world of opportunities is right here at my feet.

My future career plan is to be a mobile game developer. With a passion for designing and developing mobile games, I hope to explore innovative and groundbreaking ideas in the world of game development. Although I have a few more years before I complete my studies, I keep myself abreast with updates of prospective Penang-based employer companies. One of these companies  focuses on constructing, developing, and marketing their dream mobile gaming app. Their mission reads “We work towards bringing mobile game enthusiasts closer to the  gaming world as we are well engraved in the heart of the community”, resonating well with the love I have for designing and developing mobile games.

For those who would like to apply for this scholarship, my advice is to go for it!  Financial assistance aside, being a PFF scholar pushes you to go beyond what you think is your limits. Students are required to maintain semester results above the given threshold, which is no mean feat. This challenge necessarily means that scholars will have to work hard, but the fruits of success is ours to enjoy. All the best!

Life & career opportunities in Penang!

Penang Future Foundation (PFF) organized its 2020 Selection Interview on 9 and 10 September 2020 for the shortlisted candidates to face their final round of evaluation – the face-to-face panel interview. The interview was headed by members of the PFF Selection Committee and leaders from industry, academia and community. PFF 2020 Selection Interview was held at Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC).

A TOTAL of 74 students have successfully been selected to receive the Penang Future Foundation (PFF) scholarships this year.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the students were selected after the selection process concluded in September this year.

“The projected value of the awarded PFF scholarships this year stands at RM3.4 million.

“In its sixth year, PFF continues to award scholarships to outstanding and deserving Malaysian youths for them to pursue undergraduate bachelor’s degree in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Accountancy and Finance,” Chow told a press conference at his office in Komtar today.

There are two categories of scholarships – the PFF Penang Scholar and the PFF Mutiara Scholar.

Chow said that out of the 74 successful applicants, 58 were from the PFF Penang Scholar while 16 were from the PFF Mutiara Scholar category.

“This year, engineering recorded the highest number of successful scholarship recipients with 40 students.

“Forty-seven recipients are students of public universities while 27 are from the private universities,” he added.

Chow extended his heartiest congratulations to the successful recipients.

“I was made to understand that it has been challenging for the selection committee this year. The pool of applications received nationwide has been rather competitive,” he said.

Chow advised the recipients to remain firm in their commitment.

“This scholarship can help you in your journey to a brighter future. Remain firm in your commitment. Your areas of expertise will be essential for the state’s growth.

“I hope that you will grow to be responsible adults and be leaders in your respective fields,” he said.

Chow said the PFF has benefitted 585 scholars (including the 74 recipients) since its inception in 2015.

“PFF will continue with its goodwill to aid outstanding and deserving Malaysian youths to pursue tertiary studies in public or private universities in Malaysia,” Chow added.

Chow (second from right) with other state reps posing for a photo with Naqib (third from left) in Komtar today

InvestPenang chief executive officer Datuk Loo Lee Lian, who is also the PFF committee member, said that in the past five years, PFF has benefitted a vast majority of students from the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) background as well as accountancy and finance.

“This is part of our efforts to bring in talents that are widely required to serve the various industries that have a greater say in contributing to the economy.

“As for this year, we have given more to students from the engineering background as well as information technology, accounting and finance as there are demands for it,” she said during her speech.

She also added that the main condition for the recipients is that they must dedicate a certain number of years to work in Penang (depending on their courses); and not necessarily for the government only but can also be for any entity, organisation or factory.

Naqib thanking the Penang government and PFF upon being selected as one of the PFF scholars

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all 74 students were not able to attend the press conference.

Out of the five students that were selected to be present, Muhammad Naqib Tasdiq Ahmad Adli, who is a mechanical engineering student, thanked the Penang government and PFF for the opportunity and vowed to play a role in Penang’s transformation as a major hub for research and development of new technology.

“I aspire to become a mechanical engineer in the future and will definitely work in Penang to contribute my skill set in areas relevant to my field of work,” he added.

Source: https://www.buletinmutiara.com/74-students-to-benefit-from-penang-future-foundation-scholarships-this-year/

AMERICAN multinational company NI, formerly known as National Instruments Corporation, contributed RM1 million to the Penang Future Foundation (PFF) and RM150,000 to Penang Science Cluster (PSC) today.

NI Penang managing director Rajesh Purushothaman, who is also the APAC Manufacturing vice-president, said although the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted every business globally, NI still believes that its contribution is critical for the long-term to help the state in its STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) initiative.

“NI has been active in doing its part for Penang institutions since 2010. We want to strengthen the Penang Future Foundation and help the state retain talent. We’re looking to their exciting programmes,” Rajesh said during the mock cheque presentation at Komtar.

PFF was represented by its committee member Datuk Loo Lee Lian, who is also the InvestPenang chief executive officer, while PSC was represented by its chief executive officer Ooi Peng Ee.

Chow says the Penang Future Foundation scholarship fund is to help the state government achieve its objective of attracting, building and retaining talent.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government appreciated NI for their contributions.

“NI Penang has been steadfast in contributing towards the Penang community. For year 2020 alone, other recipients who have benefited from NI Penang’s generosity included Malaysian Red Crescent Society Penang, Penang Tech Centre Bhd, Penang Caring Dialysis Society, St Nicholas Home for the Blind and BE Home for Special Care Penang,” Chow told a press conference before witnessing the mock cheque presentation.

“The ongoing pandemic has financially affected many Malaysian households and it is critical that the PFF scholarship programme remains in place so that our scholars are not denied of educational opportunities during this challenging time.”

Also present were Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy, State Secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar, state executive councillors Chong Eng, Yeoh Soon Hin and Soon Lip Chee.

Chow said the PFF started in 2015 with an initial funding of RM40 million as the state government’s initiative to aid outstanding and deserving Malaysian youths to pursue tertiary studies in public or private universities in Malaysia.

So far, he said 511 scholarships had been given out in the past five years and selected scholars come from STEM background as well as accountancy and finance.

He said the main condition for the recipients is that they have to work in Penang for five years, not necessary for the government but can be for any entity, organisation or factory.

Chow added that the state has not done its second round of appeal for donations but from time to time, it does receive some contributions.

“Now in its sixth year, this scholarship fund intends to help the Penang state government achieve its objective of attracting, building and retaining human talent,” he said.

Source: https://www.buletinmutiara.com/ni-pours-in-rm1mil-to-penang-future-foundation/