PIDM scholarship programme adds to financial industry talent pool

Kuala Lumpur, 21 September 2015: The Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM) Undergraduate Scholarship Programme has realised its objective of adding to the talent pool of the financial industry. Introduced six years ago, the majority of scholars that have graduated are now being employed by the financial services sector.

“The scholarship programme is part of PIDM’s contribution towards nation building in the development of the human capital of the country. Our intention is to support the creation of a talent pool, in particular for the financial services sector,” said PIDM Chairman, Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Abdul Samad Haji Alias at the award ceremony recently, where 12 new scholars have been selected for receive the PIDM scholarship.

The PIDM scholarship programme is an avenue for talented and deserving students to obtain tertiary education. To date, 59 recipients have benefited from this programme.

“We want to help young and promising Malaysians to achieve their goals and develop their maximum potential. In awarding our scholarships, we recognise those who have not only done well academically, but have demonstrated strong personal qualities and aptitude,” added Tan Sri Samad.

The PIDM Scholarship is intended to develop a future generation of young Malaysians who are not just talented academically but also well-balanced in all other areas. As such, the scholarship award does not only provide financial aid, but also various soft skills training programmes and internship opportunities. Scholars are assigned mentors from the PIDM Management team who will be their support system. All of these efforts are to ensure that the scholars develop themselves as young individuals with the appropriate leadership qualities.

At the event, PIDM also launched the establishment of an alumni club, the PIDM Scholars Alumni as a platform to support the scholars in their future endeavours. The objective of the club is to create a network among its scholars for their continued professional and personal development.

Through the club, scholars will be able to maintain connections with PIDM and other fellow scholars. The club also provides an opportunity for the scholars to give back, to provide support and coaching for each other.

Since two years ago, the PIDM scholarship has been expanded to include children of its employees. For 2015, 10 external scholars and two employees’ children have been selected to receive the PIDM Scholarship. The external recipients are Ainur Zurfiqa Binti Mohd Zambri, Fang Kai Loon, Josephine Goh Hui Ling, Kaveenaasvini A/P Chandran, Lee Sim Yi, Muhammad Ali Bin Hussain, Ng Mei Teng, Noor Saidatul Amni Binti Aliasak, Norsafura Azida Binti Mohd Nor and Yeoh Shu Hui while the employees’ children are Alissa Yasmeen Binti Ahmad Shahreeza and Salini A/P Selvaraju.

The PIDM scholarship comes without bonding and provides for funding of tuition fees and living expenses as well as books and equipment. Applicants have to go through a stringent shortlisting and assessment process including tests and interviews. Selection is based on their academic and extracurricular achievements, communication skills, maturity and potential leadership qualities, as well as access to financial support.