Dreams of overseas studies vanish into thin air

The suspension of the Public Service Department (JPA) bursaries for overseas studies came as a big blow to some students who now feels that all their hard work to secure places at top universities were in vain.

Two students, who want to be known as Kelly and Gerald, both obtained a place at Melbourne University, Australia and Imperial College, UK, respectively.

But they were devastated when news of the suspension was confirmed by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak when he announced the revised Budget 2016 in Putrajaya today.

In his Budget 2016 revision, Najib said the government will only provide bursaries for students to study locally, either at private or public universities.

"This is the end of the road – the end of my study life (if what the prime minister announced is final). All our hopes and hard work have gone to waste. I will probably have to go to work," said Kelly.

"I have been working hard in the past one year to secure a place in Melbourne University. I was offered a Bachelor of Commerce course, majoring in accounting and finance.

“I need RM500,000 to complete my study," she said.

"I have submitted my application, attended an interview and went through an assesment to secure a place at the university," said Kelly, 20, an A-Level graduate at Taylors College.

"All my classmates, too, were caught off guard when the news (of the suspension) first broke one week ago," she added.

The JPA Bursary Programme is open to students who have completed their pre-university examinations (the STPM or A-Levels).

'I am devastated'

Kelly was confident of securing a bursary based on the JPA practice in the past that top A-level students would get a bursary to study in one of the top universities abroad.

"But now I am devastated. I broke down totally. I felt betrayed and cheated," she said.

Another student, Gerald, also felt “betrayed” after he read about the suspension.

"JPA actually told us that once we secure a place in one of the top 20 universities, we will be automatically awarded a bursary," he said.

"In fact, our Taylor College principal also told us about this,” said Gerald, 20, who was offered to study engineering at the Imperial College, UK.

Gerald will need at least RM1.1 million for the four-year programme, including his living costs.

"All my classmates applied to study engineering, pharmacy, law, actuarial science, history and medicine overseas," he added.

"As for me, I secured a place at Imperial College, which is one of the top universities (in the world). I never felt prouder and happier. But now, everything is taken away," he said sadly.

"My plan B? I don't really have plan B. I was all focused on studying overseas,” he added.

Despite this setback, he still hopes the government will change its mind by reinstating the bursary programme so that the students can pursue their dream. -Mkini