Yayasan Khazanah today announced three higher education scholarship programmes to develop human capital in Malaysia, offering full scholarships for deserving students.

The scholarship programmes are open to outstanding scholars who are planning to pursue their undergraduate or postgraduate studies in premier universities in Malaysiaor abroad, in various disciplines.

Launched by YB Dato’ Mustapa bin Mohamed, Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia, the three scholarship programmes are the Khazanah Merdeka Scholarship Programme, the Yayasan Khazanah Watan Scholarship Programme and the Yayasan Khazanah Asia Scholarship Programme. The three new scholarship programmes are in addition to the Khazanah-100 Scholarship Programme announced by the YAB Prime Minister in the Budget speech of 2005.

The event held here today also saw the signing of a collaborative agreement for the Khazanah Merdeka Scholarship Programme between Yayasan Khazanah and the Oxford Center for Islamic Studies (OCIS). It was signed by Dato’ Azman Mokhtar, Member of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan Khazanah and Managing Director of Khazanah Nasional; and Dr. Farhan Ahmad Nizami, the Director of OCIS. The signing was witnessed by YB Dato’ Mustapa.

According to YB Dato’ Mustapa, who is also Chairman of Yayasan Khazanah, “Yayasan Khazanah’s scholarship initiatives are in line with the objectives of the National Higher Education Action Plan 2007-2010 to transform the national higher education system and produce a new generation of Malaysians who are able to lead, innovate and compete in the global economy.”

Dato’ Azman said, the three scholarship programmes are the latest initiatives from Yayasan Khazanah to offer equal opportunities for world-class higher education to deserving Malaysians and international students as well as to promote Malaysian universities. “We believe that through thesescholarships, we will be able to nurture further a professional and ethical group of leaders to drive the nation’s strategic industries that will carry us well into the 21st century and beyond,” said Dato’ Azman.

Dr Farhan Ahmad Nizami said, OCIS is delighted to collaborate with Yayasan Khazanah to offer their expertise, skill a nd academic knowledge to help pave the way for deserving Malaysian scholars to continue their postgraduate education at two of the world’s most prestigious universities, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. “We will provide academic support and pastoral assistance to the scholars and will administer this Scholarship Programme to the best of our abilities,” he concluded.

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About Khazanah Merdeka Scholarship Programme
The Khazanah Merdeka Scholarship Programme is a collaboration between Yayasan Khazanah and the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS), United Kingdom. It offers five scholarships annually to high achieving Malaysians to pursue their postgraduate studies in either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge, two of the world’s most prestigious institutions of higher learning. The long-term objective of the Programme is to develop a talent pool of Malaysians with outstanding academic achievement and the requisite leadership skills that are vital in moulding business and industry leaders of the future.

About Yayasan Khazanah Watan Scholarship Programme
The Yayasan Khazanah Watan Scholarship Programme offers 25 scholarships to deserving Malaysians to further their undergraduate or postgraduate studies at leading local universities. This Programme, funded by Khazanah Nasional, is open to all Malaysians and will provide the students with full scholarships as well as valuable industry exposure through the Government-Linked Companies (GLC) Mentoring programme. The Programme will also support the national objective of creating elite scholars in local universities, and serve as a talent supply chain to develop world-class leaders who are capable of undertaking strategic positions in the GLCs.

About Yayasan Khazanah Asia Scholarship Programme
The Yayasan Khazanah Asia Scholarship Programme provides opportunities to foreign students to pursue their higher education in Malaysia. A total of 25 scholarships will be awarded to deserving candidates for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Scholars selected will have displayed their firm commitment to the development of their own countries in relation to good governance practices and leadership development. This Programme supports Yayasan Khazanah’s objective to develop future business and industry leaders, and provide s the means for Khazanah to contribute to social development in countries where it operates. Yayasan Khazanah will work in partnership with representatives in selected countries to help identify suitable candidates for the programme.

About Yayasan Khazanah
Yayasan Khazanah, a foundation established under the auspices of Khazanah Nasional Berhad, seeks to identify, select and fund individuals with excellent academic achievements and leadership potential to pursue studies at renowned universities in Malaysia or overseas. Yayasan Khazanah also establishes and implements scholarship programs, providing aid, incentives, sponsorship and assistance to outstanding individuals. Our long-term objective is to develop and nurture a talent pool of I ndividuals with outstanding academic qualifications and leadership skills, who will become business and industry leaders in Malaysia.

About the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies (OCIS)
The Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies is a Recognised Independent Centre of the University of Oxford. It was established in 1985 to encourage the scholarly study of Islam and the Islamic world. HRH The Prince of Wales is the Patron of the Centre, which is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of scholars and statesmen from different parts of the world, alongside representatives of the University of Oxford. The Centre provides a meeting point for the Western and Islamic worlds of learning. At Oxford it contributes to the multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary study of the Islamic world. Beyond Oxford, its role is strengthened by a developing international network of academic contacts.