Penang Future Foundation Luncheon
Speech by The Right Honourable Chow Kon Yeow
Chief Minister of Penang
Penang Future Foundation Luncheon
Olive Tree Hotel
24 August 2019
_________________________________________________
Distinguished Members of the PFF Selection Committee –
- Dato’ Seri Nazir Ariff
- Dato’ Daisy Ooi
- Dato’ Loo Lee Lian
- Emeritus Professor Dato’ Dr. Lim Koon Ong
- Dr. Lim Kim-Hwa
- Dato’ Danny Goon
Co-interviewers of the 2019 Selection Process
Invited guests
Members of the press
Ladies and gentlemen
Penang Future Foundation is the State Government’s continuous commitment in providing outstanding and deserving Malaysian students with financial support to pursue their tertiary education locally. As Chairman of the PFF Selection Committee, it is my utmost pleasure to note that PFF is now in its 5th year and continues to make a difference in the lives of its scholars.
Following the recently completed 2019 Selection Process and the 2019 PFF Bootcamp, I foresee more exciting times and programmes lined-up for our scholarship recipients. At the same time, the State Government remains hopeful that key industry players will step forward with their generosity and contribute towards making PFF, a sustainable scholarship programme for gifted and deserving students. In the pipeline are plans for a fundraising event to appeal to generous individuals and companies for contributions so that more students will benefit from the Penang State’s scholarships.
In expanding this select community of minds and talents, I have also been informed by the Selection Committee that for the 2019 batch, 25 students have been chosen to receive the Mutiara Scholar award and another 87 students selected for the Penang Scholar award. These two distinct scholarship awards are to provide assistance for those with poor financial background and to encourage the academic high-flyers to maintain strong academic performance.
The State’s ultimate aim lies in transforming Penang into a talent hub. For this purpose, we recognize that the human talent must be appreciated, nurtured and utilized to its fullest potential. Hence, Penang Future Foundation is designed not only to provide our scholars with opportunities but to also connect our future leaders with Penang’s continuous, unimpeded progress for years to come.
Ladies & gentlemen,
Penang Future Foundation would remain merely as a vision if not for the cohesive support and effort by many parties. This luncheon seeks to recognise the commitment undertaken by the Selection Committee members, as well as the co-interviewers who had taken the time off your busy schedules and supported the State Government in this important initiative. I would also like to thank Intel and Vitrox for hosting our scholars yesterday as part of their exposure to life in industry and Mr. Ng Sang Beng, CEO of Aemulus Corporation Sdn Bhd who had shared his experiences and insights with our scholars this morning as part of the 2019 PFF Bootcamp. Last but not least, thank you to the PFF Secretariat for managing this programme behind the scenes.
Finally, I offer my heartiest congratulations to the 61 PFF Scholars who have successfully graduated. We are very proud of your achievements. I trust you will continue to excel and perform your role in making Penang better. Thank you.