YSD had allocated RM5.7 million for 162 PWDs to pursue tertiary education since 2015

PETALING JAYA, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD) has awarded special need bursaries worth RM5.7 million to 162 persons with disabilities (PwD) of which 106 have successfully graduated and become professionals. 

YSD chief executive officer Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin said the bursaries were awarded under YSD’s Special Needs Bursary Programme - a scholarship to support PwDs in Malaysia to pursue their academic dreams in local higher learning institutions since 2015.

“YSD now hope to increase the numbers of (PwD scholarship receivers) so that the foundation can assist more PwDs to obtain their diploma and degree from public and private universities throughout Malaysia,” she told reporters after YSD’s International Day of Persons With Disabilities 2022 ceremony at Menara Sime Darby here today. 

The International day of Persons With Disabilities 2022 is celebrated on Dec 3.  

Dr Yatela said YSD’s special need scholarship include tuiton fees, allowances and participation in the foundation’s development programmes which include soft skills, employable training, mental health programmes and periodical monitoring of scholars’ employability for a period of two years after completing their studies. 

Meanwhile, Senator Datuk Dr Ras Adiba Radzi who is also OKU Sentral president in her speech during the event applauded YSD’s efforts for going the extra mile to support PwD scholars and becoming a catalyst in raising the quality of life of PwDs in Malaysia. 

“I hope that others will be motivated to emulate what you (YSD) when they see the impact of your assistance for OKU (orang kurang upaya) scholars,” she added.

Ras Adiba said aspiring and talented individuals supported by YSD have already achieved success in their education despite experiencing various challenges and PwDs are now actively contributing to the Malaysian economy and making a difference in society. 

During today’s event, four former YSD Special Needs Bursary scholars were appointed as YSD THRIVE mentors, where they will be contributing back to YSD’s current scholars by lending their time, insights and support.

  They are Muhammad Firdaus  Abu Hassan, 31, who became completely blind at the age of 14 and managed to obtain his Master’s degree under YSD sponsorship and currently working at Universiti Malaya as an Assistant Registrar, of the Division of Counselling and Disability Empowerment.

Muhammad Firdaus in a video shown at the event thanked YSD for enabling him to enjoy life just like other normal persons, today. 

 The other two mentors are Darrel Shakri Ahmad Shakri, 31, who lives with autism and currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Electronics and Informatics, Mathematics and Physics at Gunma University, Japan while  Ang Shin Yee, 28, is a lawyer who was born with bilateral footdrop and is passionate about defending the rights of the disabled

S.Naren Kumar, 36,  who was born with macular dystrophy, a rare, genetic eye disorder that causes loss of vision is now working as a principal analyst at the Agency for Care Effectiveness, a Singapore Government Agency.

Meanwile, YSD in a statement said commencing January 2023 the four YSD THRIVE mentors will engage and share their experiences and insights to inspire future talents, and be an important part of support towards shaping and guiding scholars towards becoming responsible citizens who will contribute to building a better Malaysia.

“This year, there are 56 ongoing special needs scholars under YSD. All scholars under YSD, including those with special needs, have access to YSD THRIVE, an unique initiative with programmes that aim to produce well-rounded graduates and ensure employability,” the statement read.

-- BERNAMA