KUALA LUMPUR: As of July 29, a total of 41,000 applications for the Special Financial Aid ( Bantuan Kewangan Khas – BKK) for Sarawak students in institutions of higher learning have been approved.
According to a news report by TVS, Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development (MEITD), Datuk Seri Roland Sagah Wee Inn, said his ministry estimates that around 60,000 applications will be received for this session.
“This is not the final round of applications. We estimate that about 60,000 applications will be registered, but there may be some who have yet to submit theirs,” he said.
He said this at the launch of the Special Financial Aid for Sarawak Students in Institutions of Higher Learning in Malaysia officiated by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, in the capital today.
He said that MEITD aims to increase the number of applications to ensure more students can benefit from the aid in the next phase.
Meanwhile, he said the initiative is in line with the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises human capital development and fostering a sustainable innovation ecosystem.
“The students benefiting from BKK today are the individuals who will be at the forefront of our digital economy, advanced industries, and sustainable development efforts.
“They are the innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs and future leaders who will drive Sarawak towards its goal of becoming a developed state by 2030,” he said.
Sagah also said that the financial aid, which was initiated by the Premier of Sarawak, is a strategic investment in the intellectual development of the region.
“My ministry and I share the Premier’s strong belief that every Anak Sarawak, regardless of their background or level of higher education, deserves the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations without undue financial burden,” he said.
