SCHOLARSHIP: 'Good move that should be conducted with transparency'

by Joseph Kaos Jr
(Malay Mail Monday, June 29th, 2009)


JAYASOORIA: Selection processes must be made transparent

THE new National Scholarship, to be based on merit, will ensure that only deserving students and those with potential will benefit.

“It is definitely welcome to see that the government is recognising merit,” said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia principal research fellow of the ethnic studies institute Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak made the announcement during his speech at an MCA dinner last Saturday at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre last Saturday.

Jayasooria hoped that the Prime Minister would give more details on the new scholarship scheme that would be in addition to the already existing scholarship under the Public Service Department.

“It’s still a bit confusing,” said Jayasooria. “I hope it can be made more transparent on who is eligible for the National Scholarship scheme and who is eligible for the already existing scheme.”

Jayasooria, a Malaysian Human Rights Commission member, was part of a parliamentary roundtable meeting comprising Opposition Members of Parliament, academicians, and former PSD scholars last month.

During the meeting, the group highlighted the need to revamp the scholarship system to address recurring problems that the present scholarship scheme was causing.

He said it was important to have an independent panel for the selection and shortlisting of scholarship recipients.

“The system must be such that students who obtain excellent results are assured that they will be awarded scholarships.”

Asked who should be in the selection panel, Jayasooria proposed that the government nominate accomplished personalities who have the trust and confidence of the public.