KOTA KINABALU: The State Government has allocated RM101 million for scholarships to students pursuing further studies in various fields this year, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor.

The amount marked an increase of 84 per cent compared to last year’s allocation of RM55 million.

“The State Government Excellence Scholarship award will benefit 4,638 SPM, STPM leavers and those in the higher learning institutions from Sabah,” he said after presenting the scholarship awards to 10 top student achievers who excelled in their STPM examination this year at Menara Kinabalu today.

“Education is one of the thrusts in the Hala Tuju Sabah Maju Jaya development plan, which is human capital development. We need a human capital pool that is skilful and knowledgeable to develop Sabah,” he said.

Accompanied by State Public Service Department Director-General Datuk Zainuddin Aman and the Scholarship Awards Committee, the Chief Minister presented the scholarship offer letters to Arnie Jaliusih, Julizza Jummain, Kelly Ng, Mahazir Mahmod, Nur Hafizah Mansor, Nur Syafienaz Herman, Nurul Azwa Azura, Dayangku Siti Aisyah  Pg Ali Mudin, Legendra Harroy and Shazliana Sahid.-pr/BNN