Shortlisting of Star Education Fund candidates in progress

PETALING JAYA: The shortlisting of candidates for the Star Education Fund has begun.

This year, 29 institutions are offering 238 scholarships worth nearly RM11mil under the fund.

It will not be an easy task to shortlist potential candidates as over 4,200 applications were received this year.

Heriot-Watt University Malaysia head of marketing and student recruitment Lim Ming Hsiang said the university was looking for well-rounded students “who can think for themselves”.

“Students who are shortlisted for the interview should brush up on their English speaking skills,” he said, adding that there was a possibility that the provost and lecturers from Britain would be present during the interview.

“Be prepared to sell yourself and tell us why we should select you,” Lim said.

The varsity is a first-time contributor to the Star Education Fund.

Sunway University Department of Financial Mathematics and Statistics head Prof Dr Ho Chee Kit said the varsity was looking for hardworking students as the Actuarial Studies course was challenging.

He said some applicants did not understand that they needed a minimum pre-university qualification and had applied for degree courses with SPM qualifications.

University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering director of admissions Dr T. Nandha Kumar said there were SPM school leavers who applied for the Bachelor in Engineering courses.

“It is sad as there were some SPM school leavers with straight As who put in all their work in preparing the applications but won’t be receiving any calls,” he said, adding that candidates must excel in academics and co-curricular activities.

Dr Nandha said those who had been shortlisted were all good and faced stiff competition from each other.

KDU University College Admissions and Bursary Department senior manager David Tai Yew Keong said it was a hard task to sieve through the pool of applications because most of the candidates had good academic results.

“However, some were not sure about the entry requirements of the programmes they applied for.

“We’re looking for candidates who are good academically and active in co-curricular activities,” he said.

Tai added that those with financial difficulties would be given priority.

He also advised shortlisted candidates to be well prepared and honest during their interview.

Star Education Fund manager Susanna Kuan advised applicants to be patient and wait for an e-mail from The Star on whether they were shortlisted.

“Interviews will be held from April to June,” she said.