Undergraduate focus: Teaching option a great pick

School leavers who are interested in pursuing a career in teaching may consider the Teacher Training Course for SPM Leavers (KPLSPM) by the Education Ministry of Malaysia, which offers the Bachelor of Education Programme (PISMP).

This full-time, fully-funded teaching course involves an 18-month (three semesters) preparation programme and a four-year degree programme (eight semesters). It is structured to train teachers in Institutes of Teacher Education (IPG) and other recognised institutions. Upon graduation, the teachers are placed in primary schools to teach various fields of study.

Malaysians aged not more than 20 years on 30 June with a distinction in any three SPM subjects, at least a credit in Bahasa Melayu, History and one other subject, as well as a pass in English are eligible to apply. Applicants must also be mentally and physically healthy, and active in co-curricular activities.

The application for the June intake is already available online at www.moe.gov.my. Applicants should first purchase a PIN number from any BSN Bank for RM6 to access the online application. Applicants short-listed at this stage will attend an interview and sit for a Teaching Personality Inventory (INSAK) in May. Successful candidates will then be offered a place in an IPG in June. The closing date for the online application is 5 Apr.

If you are passionate about education and would like to contribute to the future of Malaysian schoolchildren, this programme is suitable for you.

Scholarships offered by private institutions:

MAHSA University College

Foundation in Science (FIS) Scholarship:Applicants must be a Malaysian citizen aged 24 years or less and have performed well academically in their SPM. The amount of funding the student receives is relative to their academic performance:

• 10 or more straight A+ – RM 5,250

• 10 or more As – RM 3,150

• 9As – RM2,200

• 8As – RM2,000

• 7As – RM1,800

•  6As – RM1,600

Haji Abdullah Scholarship:Full and partial scholarships are given to students who are Malaysian citizens aged 24 years or less, and possess SPM, STPM, UEC, A-Levels, SAM or Matriculation qualification.

Visit www.mahsa.edu.myfor more information on MAHSA’s scholarship programmes.

Olympia College

The Olympia College Principal’s Scholarship for Deserving Students Scholarship:This scholarship is given to students wishing to pursue a diploma course in business studies, information technology, business management and hospitality management, or a Bachelor of Arts in business management.

Diploma programme:

•  8 or more credits in SPM – RM3,500

•  6 credits and above in SPM – RM2,500

•  3 credits in SPM, with total household income of less than RM3000
   – RM1,500

Bachelor of Arts in business management:

•  Diploma with CGPA of 3.8 and above – RM8,000

•  3 principle passes and above in STPM – RM4,000

Olympia also offers other scholarships. For more information, visit: newolympiaweb.olympia.edu.my

Nilai University College

Nilai UC High Achiever Scholarship:All scholarships are available to students who wish to pursue foundation, degree or selected diploma programmes.

Students who meet the following criteria are given a 100 per cent waiver for tuition fees and accommodation:

•  9As in SPM/O-Levels

•  3As in STPM

•  6As (6 best subjects) in UEC

•  3As in A-Levels

•  TERI/UAI 90 in SAM/ HSC/ AUSMAT

•  90 (6 best subjects) in ICPU

Nilai UC Merit Scholarship:Available for students who wish to pursue foundation, diploma or certain degree programmes:

6As in SPM/O-Levels – 30 per cent waiver of tuition fees for foundation course and 10-25 per cent waiver for degree programme, or 25 per cent waiver for diploma course

A 10-25 per cent waiver on tuition fees of degree programmes is available for students who meet these criteria:

•  CGPA of 3.0 (3 best subjects) in STPM

•  14 points (6 best subjects) in UEC

•  2As 1B in A-Levels

•  TERI/UAI 80 in SAM/ HSC/ AUSMAT

•  80 (6 best subjects) in ICPU

Nilai UC offers four scholarship programmes altogether and several financial aid schemes. For more information visit www.nilai.edu.my

INTI International University and Colleges

INTI-Laureate Merit Scholarship: This scholarship is for students who wish to pursue diploma, 4+0, AUC, A-Levels, NSW HSC, SAM, foundation or degree programmes

INTI Leadership X-cellence Scholarship: For students who meet the minimum academic requirements and have participation in extra-curricular activities as well as meet the following criteria:

•  Have a special talent such as singing, dancing, acting, playing a
   musical instrument, art

•  A strong record of leadership

•  Financial need

INTI offers seven different scholarships altogether. For more information, visit: www.newinti.edu.my