Kota Kinabalu: A total of RM5 million from the Sabah State Education Fund (TPNS) has been spent so far to help ease the burden of 5,000 students in pursuing their tertiary education.
State Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who is also in charge of Sabah’s education affairs, said TPNS has about RM55 million in donations since it was launched two years ago.
“All 5,000 recipients of the TPNS aid are pursuing various fields of studies in higher learning institutions in the country and abroad, including Middle East.
“TPNS is a supporter of educational aid in Sabah, especially the State Government scholarships, and scholarships from the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (Muis), among others,” said Arifin, who is also Chairman of the TPNS Executive Committee, after presenting TPNS aid (third series, 2024) to 14 students at his Ministry office at Wisma Bandaraya, here, Tuesday.
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On the criteria for TPNS assistance, Arifin said the eligible are those who do not hold any scholarship and those in need of financial assistance.
He said TPNS also pays attention to other fields of education such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as well as studies in the oil and gas field.
“They can apply through Yayasan Sabah and Muis or go directly to me. We hold the TPNS Executive meeting at least once every two months to vet applicants and today (May 21) we have a meeting to address and manage 30 students in the State as well as in Egypt and Jordan.
“Hopefully, there will be more donations for TPNS aid this year so that we can help more students,” he said.
Arifin said they would also discuss on helping Sabah students studying in the Middle East who are burdened by the increase in the cost of living in those countries.
“In fact, we are now waiting for a report from the education sponsor of the students involved before determining the amount of TPNS aid that will be distributed to them.
“The aid and increase in the allowance of the students involved is being studied by the respective scholarship sponsors and TPNS will cover any of the students’ needs,” he said.
Also present were the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Datuk Mohd Hanafiah Mohd Kassim, Yayasan Sabah Corporate Secretary Hanafiah Diman and members of the TPNS Executive Committee.
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