AS a student from a struggling family in Alor Setar, Kedah, Yeong Hong Jye (pic) saw higher education as an improbable goal.
Though he excelled in his Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia examinations and secured a spot to pursue a Bachelor of Information Technology (IT) at Universiti Malaya, financial realities loomed large.
His parents simply could not afford the full cost of university life.
“Pursuing a degree involves more than just tuition fees. There are living expenses, accommodation, transport and study materials to pay for.
“Without financial aid, it would have placed a huge burden on my family,” the 50-year-old said, adding that his father was already taking on side jobs to support the household, while his brother had only just started seeking employment.
Determined not to let financial hardship derail his education, he applied for a scholarship through the Star Education Fund, seeing it as the best possible assistance compared to loans or other financing options.
When he received news that he had been selected, relief washed over him.
“I was incredibly excited and happy. It gave me peace of mind, not just for myself, but for my family too,” he recalled.
The scholarship immediately lifted a significant weight from his shoulders, allowing him to focus fully on his studies without constant financial anxiety. It also enabled him to afford the equipment needed for his IT studies.
“Having a reliable computer is essential for an IT student. The scholarship enabled me to secure the technology I needed for assignments, coding projects and practical work,” he said.
Beyond the financial assistance, the scholarship had a profound impact on his psyche.
“It really boosted my confidence. This is one of the biggest recognitions you can receive in life,” he said.
Studying IT, a field he had always been passionate about, gave him the opportunity to turn his interest in programming into a professional career.
After graduation, he began working at The Star as a software developer, applying the technical foundation he had built at university.
Since then, his career has evolved through continuous learning, eventually leading him into management.
Today, as assistant general manager in The Star’s technology department, he oversees strategy and guides the team behind the company’s application systems.
Yeong attributed the scholarship as the starting point of everything that followed.
“It was the foundation of everything. Not only did it finance the education that gave me my skills, but it also provided the gateway to my career at The Star. I have grown with this company, and that journey started with the scholarship,” he said.
He also credited his growth in the ever-evolving technology sector to resilience, adaptability and a hunger for knowledge.
For students aspiring to secure scholarships today, his advice is simple: academic results matter, but character matters just as much.
“Preparation is key. Good grades are the baseline, but scholarship panels also want to see your personality, your drive, and how much the opportunity will truly change your life,” he said.
This feature is part of a series highlighting beneficiaries of the Star Education Fund (SEF), in celebration of Star Media Group’s 55th anniversary. Since its inception in 1994, the SEF has benefited 4,601 scholarship recipients, with a total value of RM176 mil. Applications for the 2026 edition are now open at https://www.thestar.com.my/edufund. For enquiries, email edufund@thestar.com.my or call 03‑7967 1388 ext 1466.
With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities.
1 What are some struggles you have overcome as a student? Share your experience with your friends, and include tips on how to overcome similar challenges in their lives.
2 What activities can help students build good character? Discuss with your classmates.
The Star’s Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@thestar.com.my.
