PETALING JAYA: Sixty-four students received scholarships and bursaries from Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) yesterday for further studies here and overseas.

They received their scholarships and bursaries from the YSD council governor, Tan Sri Dr Wan Zahid Mohd Noordin at a ceremony at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Bukit Kiara.

Wan Zahid said YSD had always placed emphasis on education.

"We want to enable and facilitate education of the creme de la creme, which would lead to excellence and enrichment of society," he said, adding that YSD also promoted the well-being of the under-privileged irrespective of race, culture, religion, creed and gender as enshrined in its mission statement.

"YSD does this by providing education for such people to rescue them from the clutches of poverty and assist them in building and maintaining better lives and for the future," he said.

Since 1982 Sime Darby gave out RM70 million to 1,280 Malaysian students.

"There is a saying that if you want to prosper for one year, grow grapes, if you want to prosper for 10 years, grow a tree but if you want to prosper for 100 years then grow people and that is what we are doing," he said.

Fifty-two students received scholarships worth RM7.3 million under the YSD Scholarship Programme and of these 20 will pursue pre-university studies, 27 undergraduate studies and five postgraduate courses.

Another 11 students received bursaries, worth a total RM500,000, under the YSD Bursary Programme which helps students from low-income families to pursue tertiary education in any field of study.

Mum is Wan Affiq's inspiration to read law

PETALING JAYA: It was his mother's influence that led Wan Affiq Farhan Syazwi, to pursue his ambition of being a lawyer.

"My mum is in the legal field and I was influenced by her work ethics and dedication," said Wan Affiq, 18, who will pursue law in under a Sime Darby Foundation scholarship.

"No matter how busy she is or how long she works, she still finds time for the family."

Affiq's favourite subject in school was history as he loved the experience and the journey of nation building.

"In history, you learn how nations are formed and all the little things that go together with it. I hope one day I will be part of history," he said.

Nik Fikri Nik Fauzi, also 18, was inspired by a family member to do medicine.

"My older sister is a dentistry undergrad at Trinity College," he said. Nik Fikri, who plans to pursue medicine at the famous Cambridge University in the UK, is also active in community service.

Another recipient Tan Su Lyn, 20, is reading Accounting and Finance in Taylor's College.

The Malacca born lass hopes to continue her course in Dublin, Ireland after she is done at Taylor's College.

"I wish to join one of the top accounting firms here in Malaysia and going to Dublin will be a stepping stone for me," she said.

Away from her books, Tan spends much of her leisure time cycling and swimming with friends.

THE RECIPIENTS

YSD Bursary: Muhamad Sabrin Ibrahim, Muhammad Izdiyad Lock Man, Ahamd Fathi Mohammed Fisol, Norlinawati Warni, Nur Fatin Syazwani, Nor Amira Alida Md Yusoff, Umi Asura Sanusi, Nur Fatihah Abas, Nur Faraha'ain Ibrahim, Noradilah Nasir, Syarnissa Ahmad Dahuri.

Scholarship (employees children): Ghulam Imran Hussain, Divash Menon Venugopal, Tan Su Lyn, Ghulam Marzooq Hussain, Nur Fathihah Mohd. Jamel, Lie Ken Nie, Nabihah Mohd Fauzi.

Scholarship - Pre-University: Amirul Haim Noor Haizat, Nik Fikri Nik Fauzi, Diana Lim, Raihan Anuar Batcha, Osho Manikkam, Mohamad Basik Hazman Baharom, Pun Mei Yan, Ng Ling Wei, Muhammad Reza Abedi Bahram, Elena Ng Yee En, Ian Teng Weng Yew, Mohd Armand Daud Chead, Muhammad Aiman Mohd Rosli, Lim Aina, Grace Gan Oon Bee, Leong Manwyn, Wan Affiq Farhan Syazwi, Tan Shin Leong, Mohamad Afif Mohamad Norzal, Lim Teck Jiang.

Scholarship - Undergraduate: Abd Rahaman Hamzah, Samsuri Ahmad Sahidan, Ismail Surip, Mas Nor Syazwani Rathi, Yuzinani Pairan, Noraidah Zulkifli, Avinash Nair, Muhammad Alif Aizat Zahar,Dhevia Kalyana Sundram, Amalina binti Muhammed, Aiman Fauzi Mohamad Daud, Reuben Chong Jianliang, Lee Hsiao Leng, Sara Chow Zheng, Khiah Carmen, Kaveiina Mathavan, Siow Su Yi, Nora Amira Ramly, Divya Samuel, Muhammad Izzat Fauzan.

Scholarship - Postgraduate: S. Nalgunalingam, Lim Bee Leng, Asrul Nizar Ahmad, Syahril Anuar Md Rejab, Ho Siaw Pin