Foundation collaborates with universities and colleges to help those from B40, M40 groups
A NON-governmental organisation (NGO) has partnered with local universities and colleges to offer 61 scholarships valued at over RM3mil to high-achieving students.
All Malaysia Malayalee Association (Amma) Foundation vice-president Prof Dr Pradeep Nair said the scholarships were aimed at helping the applicants from low- and middle-income backgrounds.
“The Harnessing Opportunities for Pathways in Education (HOPE) initiative is an education programme designed to expand higher education opportunities for underprivileged Malaysian students,” he said.
Amma was established in August 1980 with the mission to help young Malaysians pursue educational opportunities.
Prof Pradeep said the initiative gives students the chance to pursue foundation, diploma and bachelor’s degree programmes across multiple disciplines.
The foundation recently hosted the 2026 HOPE Initiative Strategic Partner briefing with education leaders and NGOs at the Amma Community Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.
“Participating universities and colleges will offer tuition fee waivers of between 50% and 100% to qualified students, while Amma Foundation will provide financial grants or interest‑free study loans to cover part of the fees,” said Prof Pradeep.
“The initiative places institutions on a platform that integrates tuition waivers with the foundation’s interest‑free loans to create a structured and affordable funding ecosystem,” he said.
“Our aim through the HOPE initiative is to bring together 24 NGOs, welfare homes and community‑based organisations from across the Klang Valley and Peninsular Malaysia.
“This is to formalise referral and support partnerships to identify deserving candidates for scholarships, tuition waivers and interest‑free study loans for the 2026 academic intake.”
According to him, the programme is open to Malaysian students below 25 years of age from B40 and M40 households.
“The HOPE initiative is a growing commitment to collective action that ensures financial hardship does not impede capable students from accessing higher education,” he said.
Among the universities and colleges participating in Amma Foundation’s HOPE initiative are Asia Pacific University of Innovation and Technology (APU), Brickfields Asia College (BAC), HELP University, Mahsa University, IACT College, Sunway University, Veritas University College, University Malaysia of Computer Science and Engineering (UniMy), Reliance College and the University of Cyberjaya.
Malaysian students who have completed their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM)/O‑Level or equivalent, as well as those who have completed Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM), foundation or pre‑university programmes, may apply for foundation, diploma or bachelor’s degree programmes in various disciplines.
Those interested can submit their applications to Amma Community Centre, L2‑2K, Residensi Highpark (South Tower), No.1, Jalan SS 6/7, Kelana Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, call 03‑7887 7666 or e-mail engage@ammafoundation.com.my
