By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Government has allocated more than RM100 million for its State Scholarship (BKNS) this year, benefiting thousands of students pursuing studies at various levels, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the allocation would cover existing recipients as well as new scholarships for 2026, involving 2,182 students pursuing diploma, bachelor’s degree and master’s degree programmes.
“The total number of BKNS scholarship recipients has now reached 13,389, reflecting the State Government’s commitment to ensuring more Sabahans have access to quality education,” he said when officiating the 37th Sabah Excellent Scholarship Awards ceremony at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC).
Hajiji, who is also Chairman of the Yayasan Sabah Board of Trustees, said BKNS added 10 new recipients this year, bringing the total to 60.
He said the State Government also offers several major scholarship schemes, including the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah Excellence Scholarship, Premier Scholarship, Sabah Government Excellent Scholarship and the B40 and Rural Programme Scholarship.
In addition, the Yayasan Sabah Group increased the number of Sabah Excellent Scholarship Award recipients by 10 to 50 this year in recognition of outstanding academic achievement.
Hajiji said the State Government is also expanding educational opportunities in the healthcare sector, with 30 Sabahans to be selected for a talent development programme covering the Diploma in Medical and Health Sciences, Diploma in Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Science in Cardiovascular Technology.
The programme is implemented through a strategic collaboration between the Yayasan Sabah Group, the National Heart Institute (IJN) and IJN University College under a memorandum of understanding signed in April to strengthen the state’s future healthcare workforce.
He said the initiative would increase the pool of skilled healthcare professionals while providing Sabahans with opportunities to pursue training in critical fields expected to be in high demand.
At the same time, 15 Sabahans are undergoing the Patient Care Assistant Programme at IJN University College through an initiative coordinated by Yayasan Sabah via University College Sabah Foundation (UCSF).
Hajiji said the State Government also provides various forms of financial assistance to help students and families cope with rising education costs.
Since its introduction, the Sabah Government Excellent Scholarship (BCKNS) has benefited 835 recipients, involving RM141.29 million. The Sabah Education Fund (TPNS), launched in 2022, has assisted 15,629 recipients with allocations exceeding RM25 million.
“In addition, the Sabah Islamic Religious Council (MUIS), through its Zakat and Fitrah Division, continues to provide educational assistance to students pursuing higher education, including initial tuition fee assistance and flight tickets, with total expenditure exceeding RM12.7 million from January to June this year,” he said.
Hajiji said the Deputy State Secretary Office (Special Duties) has continued implementing 14 education initiatives introduced since 2021.
These include the One-Off Higher Education Institution Registration Cash Assistance (BUDI), Special Examination Assistance (BAKTI), Computer Assistance Programme (BAIK), Sabah Student Flight Ticket Subsidy (SUBFLY) and Higher Education Student Assistance in Sabah (SENTOSA).
He described the improvement in the State’s education performance as encouraging, noting that Sabah recorded a State Average Grade (GPN) of 4.85 in the 2025 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, compared with 5.00 the previous year. It was the first time the State achieved a GPN below the 5.00 mark.
Hajiji urged students to continue striving for excellence and to explore strategic fields such as oil and gas, energy, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and artificial intelligence (AI), which are expected to drive Sabah’s future economic growth.
Hajiji (centre), with guests and scholarship recipients.
