What’s next post-SPM
WITH the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) 2023 results out on May 27, it is time for school-leavers to start submitting scholarship applications.

One option they can go for is the Star Education Fund.

Its committee said SPM or equivalent graduates can apply for pre-university courses, including foundation leading to degree, diploma, A-Level and Australian Matriculation programmes being offered.

Total scholarships worth over RM6.44mil for SPM graduates applying for pre-university courses are available.

“Take the first step to achieve your dream and apply for the Star Education Fund scholarship today. Your dream university is just one application away.

“The closing date for SPM or equivalent graduates applying for pre-university courses is June 10,” the committee said when met at the Star Education Fair 2024, held at IOI Grand Exhibition and Convention Centre, Putrajaya, from May 4 to 5.

All the scholarships are bond-free and are available for students seeking financial aid to further their studies at the tertiary level.

To increase their chances of being shortlisted for interviews, applicants may submit up to a maximum of five applications if the courses they choose are also offered by other universities.

“Select the courses that you wish to apply for based on your highest academic qualification to avoid rejection.

“Write a well-crafted personal statement and explain the reasons why you need the scholarship and why you deserve it,” advised the fund committee.

Options galore

School-leavers have a myriad of choices for pursuing their higher education.

For example, they could enrol in a foundation, diploma or certificate programme, said Unitar International University education counsellor Nurhayati Eliboy.

During her talk on “What’s After SPM” at the fair, she said those who join and complete the foundation or diploma programmes can then go on to their bachelor’s degree, but this does not apply to certificate holders.

They also have the option of pursuing nursing, said Mahsa University Faculty of Health Sciences, Nursing and Education head of school Assoc Prof Dr Lim Gek Mui.

She said school-leavers who are looking to pursue a diploma or degree in nursing will need to pass the SPM exams or fulfil five credit requirements, which include a mandatory credit in Bahasa Melayu and elementary, additional or modern mathematics.

“Either credits in science, biology, chemistry, physics or applied science will be necessary, and students must ensure they pass the English Language,” she said during her talk titled “Change the World, Start Here: Opportunities to Make a Difference in People’s Lives”.

She also said scholarships are available at many institutions, making it possible to specialise in nursing in the future.

“If you want to change people’s lives, you must have the opportunity to progress in your career, and there is hope to do so in the nursing field.

“Nursing plays an important role in providing holistic care and addressing aspects of a patient’s health.

“Nurses who work in the hospital after some years will also be able to work abroad,” she added.

As for those who have not sat for their SPM but want to start saving for their future education, their parents can open an i-Saraan account through the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for them.

EPF Kuala Lumpur relationship adviser Mohammad Zaim Iskandar Mukhriz said teenagers, from the age of 14, can open an i-Saraan account and gain the benefits that come along with it, including EPF’s annual dividend.

“When children have an account opened as early as 14 years old, their parents can start saving for them,” he said at EPF’s booth at the fair.

He added that students can then utilise the funds in their Account 2 to pay for their tertiary studies, thus giving them another option to save money.

Mohammad Zaim Iskandar also said the government provides incentives for those contributing to an i-Saraan account and in Budget 2024, they will receive a matching incentive of 15% of the voluntary contribution.

Advice from influencers

“Before getting into social media influencing, I was taking an engineering course. Soon, I realised that I was only pursuing it for the sake of having a degree that could ensure me a job in the future. Eventually, I realised that my skills did not align with the field and that was when I started delving into social media and entertainment. I would like to encourage all SPM leavers to truly know where your heart lies before picking a course that might not be your area of interest. Talk to your parents or counsellors who can help you navigate yourself in choosing the right field. If you do decide to be a social media influencer, it is equally important that you have education. School-leavers should not give up on higher education even if they want to pursue this pathway. Right now, I am considering taking up an arts-related degree when I get the chance to.” – Mohammad Imran Aqil Mohd Salehuddin, 25, Yayasan Sukarelawan Siswa (YSS) alumnus

“To SPM leavers, it’s vital to actively engage in extracurricular activities as you enter higher education. Being a part of the YSS volunteer programme cultivated my passion for volunteering and enabled me to improve my communication and networking skills. University life is where students can begin to explore their strengths and build experiences to stand out in the eyes of recruiters. Everyone can be smart and beautiful, but what truly sets us apart is our initiative to be different. Even if you are unsure, I would say volunteerism is the best way to help you discover where your skills may lie and sometimes, they might surprise you.” – Shamellya Norazizi, 27, YSS alumna
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Scholarship, education choices for school-leavers.