05/05/2026

TUESDAY | MAY 5, 2026

12

EDUCATION NEWS

Bank launches ASB education financing KUALA LUMPUR: Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd (Bank Muamalat) launched the ASB SMART Education plan yesterday, becoming the first financial institution among Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) agents to offer an Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) financing solution specifically tailored towards education. In a statement, the bank said this launch further strengthens the strategic partnership between Bank Muamalat and ASNB, while reflecting their shared aspiration to expand access to progressive, inclusive and sustainable Syariah-compliant financial solutions. “It also aligns with Bank Negara Malaysia’s call for financial institutions to continue driving innovation within the financial sector through strategic collaborations,” it said. President and chief executive officer Datuk Khairul Kamarudin said the introduction of ASB SMART Education underscores the bank’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the financial well-being of customers through a structured and forward-looking approach. “We recognise the growing need to align investment planning more strategically with educational goals, particularly in an environment where education costs continue to rise. “Through our close collaboration with ASNB, we are able to leverage the strengths of both institutions to provide access to structured investment instruments, enabling Malaysian families to build a more sustainable financial foundation,” he said. He added that this initiative also supports the bank’s aspiration to cultivate disciplined investment habits and enhance financial literacy among future generations. Bank Muamalat said the ASB SMART Education plan is designed as a financial instrument that integrates both investment and financing elements, enabling parents or guardians to build an education savings portfolio for beneficiaries under 18. “This approach allows customers to harness the power of compounding while maintaining consistent investment discipline from an early stage, thereby strengthening the family’s financial foundation. “The facility also offers a flexible financing structure with customisable tenures, along with payment plans designed to optimise customers’ cash flow capacity. This enables a more holistic, structured and resilient approach to financial planning in meeting rising future education commitments,” it said. Overall, Bank Muamalat said that this initiative not only strengthens an inclusive financial ecosystem but also supports the national agenda of nurturing a financially literate society that is disciplined in investment and resilient in economic branch. – Bernama

The young primary school pupils are congratulated on stage. They emerged victorious in a competition designed for secondary and high school students.

School from Sabah wins big at regional science contest

o Vision Primary School Sandakan pupils impress with research on environmentally friendly farming solutions, showing scientific understanding and real-world relevance

KOTA KINABALU: Vision Primary School Sandakan has achieved a remarkable milestone, winning the Best Poster Award at Science Castle Singapore 2026. The competition was held on April 15 at the Woodlands Library in the island republic. Science Castle, a pan-Asian platform originally established in Osaka, Japan, is traditionally designed for secondary and high school students. This makes Vision Primary’s participation and victory an exceptional accomplishment. Now in its 14th year, Science Castle has expanded beyond Japan to include annual events in Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The Singapore edition saw a gathering of over 200 participants from eight countries across Southeast and East Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam. Unlike conventional science fairs, Science Castle places strong emphasis on original hypothesis-driven research, professional poster presentations and rigorous Q&A sessions modelled after academic conferences. Each team is given a dedicated presentation booth, and judges move around to evaluate based on scientific quality and clarity of communication.

Competing against older students from across Southeast Asia, the Vision Primary team impressed judges with their research project titled ‘Is Swiftlet Guano a Sustainable Alternative to NPK 15–15–15 in Mitigating Chemical Runoff in Crops?’ The project explored environmentally friendly farming solutions, showcasing strong scientific understanding and real-world relevance. Judge Dr Harish Handral praised the young researchers as being “eloquent, well spoken and confident”, noting their ability to answer questions clearly and demonstrate a deep understanding of their work. The team was guided by adviser Jennifer Lee and comprised four Primary 4 pupils: Mavis Hon Shi Ya, Look Tze Shen, Hannah Chen Yi Thong and Asher Tsang Huan Le. “This achievement reflects our commitment to nurturing critical thinking and a passion for inquiry among our students,” said head teacher Thien Lee Yee. Vision Primary School Sandakan is a private educational institution owned by the Anglican Diocese of Sabah. The school had previously won awards in local science fairs and robotics competitions, but this marks its first international honour on a pan-Asian stage. – BY JOSHUA CHANG

The four Vision Primary School Sandakan pupils with Handral during the event.

HWUM among top picks in Graduate Employability Rankings PUTRAJAYA: Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) has been named one of Talentbank’s Preferred Universities in the 2026 Talentbank National Graduate Employability Index (GE Index). and Psychology, while Quantity Surveying received a 6-Star rating. The performance reflects HWUM’s commitment to career success, as demonstrated by its consistent Employability Ratings between 2024 and 2026. while several others have maintained strong 5-Star standings over the years. university’s focus on equipping students with practical skills and relevant knowledge. More than 95% of its graduates secure employment or continue their studies within six months of graduating, highlighting strong outcomes in career readiness.

driven leaders transition into meaningful careers and make an impact in their respective industries and the world.” In line with its “Driven by Purpose” mission, HWUM remains steadfast in delivering world-class programmes that nurture tomorrow’s purpose driven leaders, equipped with competencies beyond academic excellence. With roots in Scotland, but with a an international reach, Heriot-Watt, established in 1821, has campuses in Scotland, Malaysia and Dubai. For more information on Heriot-Watt University Malaysia and its programmes, visit https://www.hw.ac.uk/malaysia/

Programmes offered at HWUM are built on internationally benchmarked curricula that combine academic rigour with exposure to real-world professional practice. This structure ensures students develop strong analytical and technical foundations while gaining the discipline-specific skills required in today’s global workplace. The strength of this approach is reflected in graduates’ ability to adapt and perform effectively in diverse professional environments, both locally and internationally, including the United Kingdom. The recognition reaffirms the

The annual GE Index is based on a comprehensive survey of major employers across Malaysia, including top names from banking, technology, manufacturing and professional services. The study identifies institutions that consistently produce graduates who meet industry expectations and workforce demands. In the 2026 results, HWUM has received multiple 5-Star Employability Ratings for Actuarial Science, Civil Engineering, Statistics

Banking & Finance Mathematics and Statistics, have consistently achieved 6-Star status, A range of programmes are represented across both 5-Star and 6 Star categories, including Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Psychology, Finance, Statistics, Analytics, as well as Mathematics and Statistics. Notably, Actuarial Science, Quantity Surveying and Mathematics-related disciplines, including Mathematics and

Reflecting on the outcome, Deputy Provost Prof Lai Yin Ling said: “Recognition in the GE Index reflects industry confidence in our graduates and the relevance of our programmes to current workforce needs. “Graduate employability is central to our mission as a university. We measure our success not only by academic achievement, but by how effectively our graduates or purpose

Education News/Health & Wellness TUES

ESG

Property

WED

MON

THUR