29/07/2025

TUESDAY | JULY 29, 2025

FOLLOW

ON TWITTER Malaysian Paper

4

@thesundaily

130 scholarship recipients all set for Taiwan experience

Work as a team to ensure Kapit’s progress: Minister KAPIT: All parties are urged to embrace the spirit of segulai sejalai or working together as one team, to ensure the Kapit division continues to progress and prosper on par with other divisions in Sarawak. Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi stressed that past experiences should serve as a lesson, seeing how political disagreements once affected development efforts in the area. “At that time, politics was divided, so many development projects were delayed and difficult to implement. But now that all the leaders are united under Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and the elected representatives are working well together, the results are very encouraging,” he said at the Kapit division thanksgiving and appreciation ceremony here on Sunday. The Kapit MP said the political stability achieved has enabled more effective implementation of policies and development plans through close cooperation between government departments, implementing agencies and support from community leaders and village chiefs. “In the past, there were times when more focus was given to the industrial sector and not the rural areas, and development allocations were small. But now, Kapit has become an enviable area because of the close cooperation of all parties,” he said. Nanta added that, the momentum of cooperation must be maintained to ensure that the development currently enjoyed can be expanded to all corners of Kapit. At the ceremony, he also expressed appreciation to government employees who have retired and those who have been transferred to new postings. “To those retiring, thank you for your excellent services; and to those who have been transferred, bring the positive image of Kapit wherever you are assigned,” he said. – Bernama Mukah records worst air quality reading KUCHING: The Air Pollutant Index (API) in Mukah, central Sarawak rose to an unhealthy level of 154 as of yesterday morning. The Environment Department said Mukah is recording the worst air quality reading in Malaysia. Most other parts of Sarawak are reporting moderate API levels in the 70s. The poor air quality in Mukah is being blamed on a major wildfire burning deep within forested areas and agricultural estates. The blaze, which began four days ago, is still raging. Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said firefighters from the Mukah station are at the scene working to contain the flames. “Our fire teams are still on the ground to stop the flames from spreading. “They are doing their best, but the area still burning measures at least 2.4ha – roughly the size of six football fields,” said the department. The fires have cloaked Mukah in thick grey smoke, with ash and haze drifting across the region. The Sarawak Natural Resources and Environment Board had already declared a statewide red alert for haze and wildfires over a week ago. – By JOSEPH PETER

o Students grateful for opportunity, eager to learn more about country’s rich cultural heritage

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KUALA LUMPUR: A record 130 Malaysian students are set to head to Taiwan, thanks to the 2025 MOE Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship (HES) – the highest number awarded to date. For 24-year-old Eizyan Syazana Hairuzaman, missing out on a Taiwan internship during her undergraduate days turned out to be a blessing in disguise. A year later, she is now bound for National Taiwan University under the prestigious MOE Taiwan Scholarship, where she will pursue a Master’s in Food Science and Technology. “I was crushed when I had to let go of the internship, but I kept trying. Now, I’m grateful for this two-year opportunity,” she said, adding that she’s eager to pick up Mandarin, dive into research and soak up Taiwanese culture. Eizyan is sorting out her medical check-up and visa, with plans to fly off by end of August. Classes begin on Sept 1. As a Muslim student, she initially had reservations but was reassured by Taiwan’s growing Muslim-friendly initiatives. “I’ve read about Salam Taiwan and their support for Muslim students,” she said. Also Taiwan-bound is Ong Lip Qin, 39, who will pursue a PhD in Physical Therapy in Healthcare at National Cheng Kung University – his first fully funded overseas scholarship. “I’m honoured to be chosen. Taiwan feels familiar and warm. It’s a great place to study,” he said. Ong leaves next week and will finalise accommodation once he arrives. As a Malaysian Chinese, he’s not too worried about the language barrier but admits the four-year journey ahead will require mental grit.

The students with their scholarship awards at the ceremony. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ/THESUN

heritage, Mandarin-speaking environment and expanding English-taught programmes as key reasons it’s become a top study destination. “With more Muslim-friendly services and diverse academic offerings, Taiwan is increasingly appealing to international students,” she said. This year, 130 scholarships were awarded – 37 under the MOE Taiwan Scholarship (including five PhD, 25 Master’s and seven undergraduate students), 88 under the HES and five under the Taiwan ICDF (International Cooperation and Development Fund) Scholarship for Master’s programmes. The Taiwan MOE scholarship recipients will receive tuition waivers worth RM5,800 per semester, along with monthly living allowances of between RM2,200 and RM2,900. HES scholars will get RM3,900 monthly. “These scholarships don’t just open academic doors. They also strengthen Malaysia-Taiwan relationship,” Yeh said.

“I’ve heard Taiwan is stunning - mountains, beaches, culture - I’m ready to explore all of it,” he added. Ong plans to return in his third year to continue research at Malaysian clinics or hospitals. At the award ceremony, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office representative Phoebe Yeh said Taiwan has been awarding these scholarships since 2004 to support top Malaysian talent and promote Mandarin learning. “Over the past 20 years, hundreds of Malaysians have graduated from Taiwan’s universities and language centres, excelling in their fields and strengthening bilateral ties,” she said. Yeh also highlighted Taiwan’s rising global profile, noting its 6th-place ranking among 69 economies in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Rankings. She pointed to Taiwan’s rich cultural

10,000 engineers expected for semiconductor training SUBANG JAYA: A total of 10,000 local engineers are expected to be trained in the semiconductor field through a training programme by the United Kingdom’s semiconductor design firm, Arm Ltd, over 10 years, said Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari. education and research. The programme brings together participants from over 40 universities and engineers representing more than 80 companies across the semiconductor and technology sectors, reflecting strong national interest and commitment to talent development in advanced chip design. to exceed RM100 million over the next decade. Amirudin said the Arm On-Demand Programme will move Selangor and Malaysia from completely relying on foreign direct investment to building leaders and startups that would one day transform into leading companies that invest and export overseas. “We must envision a technological ecosystem where we do not solely export, but move up the economic value chain to utilise and be consumers of these chips.”

“The initiative targets about 1,000 participants annually, with the first batch of 400 engineers already enrolled,”said Amirudin at the programme’s launch yesterday. Advanced Semiconductor Academy of Malaysia said in a statement the programme, known as Arm On-Demand, is the first Arm-led training programme in the country, and is a strategic collaboration with the academy. It is aligned with the country’s efforts to accelerate its ambition to develop homegrown chips within five to 10 years due to growing global demand for artificial intelligence and data centre technologies, the statement said. The highlight of the event was a partnership signing ceremony between Arm, Asem and 20 Malaysian universities, a symbolic and unified commitment to advance semiconductor

Amirudin said the training, which focuses on front-end integrated circuit (IC) design, began earlier this year with the IC Design Part 1 course in Puchong. This would position Malaysia as a leading and sustainable front-end player in the semiconductor industry, he added. Amirudin said the Selangor state government has committed between RM5 million and RM10 million annually to propel the front end of the semiconductor value chain. He said the federal government, through the Economy Ministry, has increased its support to RM100 million from RM60 million. This underscores national-level confidence in the initiative, with total investments expected

Amirudin said these ambitions will be detailed in Selangor Plan 2, which is set to be launched next year. He expressed confidence that semiconductor and electrical and electronics engineering will be prioritised under the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan, to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 31. Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong and Selangor state executive councillor for Investment, Trade and Mobility Ng Sze Han witnessed the ceremony. – Bernama