Ten local university students receives annual award to pursue dreams
Kuala Lumpur, July 11, 2006 - Ten local university students were the proud recipients of the GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program, a scholarship program which provides three years of support to undergraduate Malaysian students enrolled in engineering and science programs in any Malaysian university.
Over the course of three years, RM210,000 will be awarded to the students. The annual competition draws hundreds of applicants from around Malaysia. Each student receives RM7,200 annually, which is renewable throughout the student's undergraduate studies if he or she can maintain an outstanding academic record each semester.
Dr. Donald G. McCloud, Executive Director of MACEE said, "Each year, the quality of student increases, which challenges us to find ways to help them attain a university education. I'm proud to say that we've successfully worked with GE to broaden the scholarship to benefit even more students in more ways by adding special training in leadership and community service."
MACEE has assisted GE Malaysia since 1993 in administering the program.
"Furthermore, when this program first started, the funds would have enabled recipients to attend university in the US. The fact that they can now complete their studies locally is a testament to the continually rising quality of the local universities", Dr McCloud added.
Dr McCloud's sentiments were echoed by Anusoorya Themudu, Human Resources Leader for GE Malaysia.
"GE's experience in Malaysia has been very positive. Local graduates make up a substantial portion of the more than 1,200 Malaysians we employ worldwide. In fact, GE Malaysia is a fertile hiring ground for regional leadership recruitment."
"We are committed to helping Malaysia nurture its human capital towards a knowledge-based economy. GE supports the idea that the private sector can complement the government's efforts as outlined in the Ninth Malaysian Plan to enable more deserving students to attend and complete university, and contribute towards the forty percent university participation rate for 19-23 year olds," said Anusoorya.
Since 1993 until today, nearly 90 students have been awarded this scholarship.
The recipients were second- and third-year students from local universities, including Universiti Malaya and Universiti Sains Malaysia.
"I heard about this scholarship from my seniors in school, and I'm so relieved I got it. This was a determinant factor on whether or not I get to continue with my tertiary education," said Peggy Ang Pei Yee,.
Dr McCloud explained, "There are numerous scholarships available for graduate studies but not so many for undergraduate studies. There is no other undergraduate program that focuses on students with great economic need. The GE scholarship program sets the standard in Malaysia for seeking out students who without this scholarship might not be able to complete their degrees."
About GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program
The GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program scholarship was first introduced in 1993. It was known as The GE Fund Scholarship, until the name was changed to its current name last year. The scholarship began as a one-time scholarship and in 1996, it was changed to a multi-year scholarship. In year 2000, the number of recipients was increased from 6 to 8. For the year 2005, MACEE with the approval of the GE Foundation, successfully increased the number of award recipient to 10 students.
Eligibility
To be eligible for these G.E. scholarships, students must be admitted to a Malaysian university, majoring in an engineering subject, be receiving no other forms of financial aid, have demonstrated need for assistance, show a strong academic performance in high school and in entrance tests and demonstrate leadership potential through active participation in extra-curricular and volunteer activities.
* * *
MACEE
MACEE - The Malaysian-American Commission on Educational Exchange-was created through a bi-national agreement, first signed in 1963, between the governments of Malaysia and the United States of America. MACEE's purpose is to further understandings between the peoples of Malaysia and the United States through educational exchange. In addition to the GE Scholarship program, MACEE administers the Fulbright scholar and student exchange programs that provides support for Malaysians to study and conduct research in the United States as well as for Americans to study and conduct research in Malaysia. MACEE is also a StudyUSA educational advising center where professional staff are available to assist any Malaysian who wishes to enroll in U.S. universities for undergraduate or graduate studies. MACEE has newly relocated to new offices on the 18th floor of Menara Yayasan Tun Razak, 200 Jalan Bukit Bintang. MACEE can be reached by telephone at (03) 2166-8878. Further information about MACEE can be found on the website www.macee.org.my
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology, media and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, medical imaging, television programming, and plastics, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.ge.com.
GE's relationship with Malaysia began in 1975. Today, investments in Malaysia exceed RM1 billion, with more than 1, 200 Malaysians working for GE. GE works closely with local infrastructure providers, supplying equipment and services to TNB, Petronas, KTM and local water authorities. GE's Healthcare division supplies private and public hospitals with the latest diagnostic imaging equipment and healthcare information systems, while the company's lighting division supports key stadiums and ports. Visit http://www.ge.com/my/ for more information.
Contacts for enquiries related to this press release:
Corporate Communications
[email protected]
business unit
tags