SIBU: Two Penan students are among 11 Sarawakians who have been awarded the Honda Dreams Fund (HDF) scholarship since its launch in 2007.
EASY DOES IT: An applicant (right) introduces herself during an interview with a representative from Honda.
HDF is a corporate social responsibility project by Honda Malaysia and United Nations Development Programme, Honda Malaysia public relations executive Jordhatt Johan said.
He said the programme that is open to Malaysians aged between 17 and 24 is an effort to help deserving underprivileged youths to have a better future through education.
It was a manifestation of Honda’s tagline “The Power of Dreams”, and by providing such opportunity, Honda Malaysia hopes to change the lives of the families of the scholarship recipients.
“The 11 Sarawakians are among 80 scholars nationwide who have benefited from the programme so far,” he told reporters at HDF 2011 road tour here on Thursday.
Besides the Penans, he said other Sarawakians were three Ibans, two Chinese, a Kenyah, a Kayan and a Berawan.
“The two Penans are Zahrol Rajiee, who dreams to be a chef, and Zuliana Ishak,” he said.
According to Jordhatt, Zahrol is now pursuing his Diploma in Hotel Management at Maxcel Institute of Management in Miri.
Zuliana, he said, is following a dancing instructor-training course at Sarawak Cultural Village in Kuching as she aspires to be a dancing instructor.
From 2007 until last year, they had received 5,097 applications nationwide.
As for its yearly intake, only 20 enrolments will be accepted.
So far, 80 had been awarded HDF scholarships nationwide, he said.
“And from those selected, only eight have graduated so far while the rest are still pursuing their studies at private and public institutions in the country,” he added.
Honda Malaysia does not set any quota of HDF scholarship recipients for each state in the country.
With the fifth intake this year, they targeted to have 100 HDF scholars in total.
He also said there was no specific number set for scholarships given to each student. This was because each course or training had different fees.
“But once accepted, Honda Malaysia will provide them with pocket money of RM500 per month.
“Apart from that, Honda Malaysia will pay for their accommodation like those from Sarawak studying in West Malaysia,” he said.
On the road tour, Jordhatt said Sibu was their last destination in the state after Kuching and Bintulu.
They had received 65 applications in Kuching, 20 in Bintulu and targeted to have 45 applicants from Sibu for HDF 2011.
Next week they will be in Johor before moving to Perlis. HDF 2011 is open for applications until March 31.
Those interested can write in to apply, and visit www.honda.com.my/hdf for details.