JPA Scholarship 2012

When I looked at the policy, I wasn’t pleased. Unlike previous years, we are not guaranteed full scholarship until degree level. It is merely bursary for Pre U courses, giving away RM 2000-5000 at one go for course fees, tuition fees, living expenses, or whatever they may call it. Here are some of my critics on each of the categories stated in its policy (No Offense):

a) Top 50 SPM Scorers will be entitled to secure National Scholarship

At first, it seems to be good news to me. However it states that the top students will be sent to top Notch University in the world to further their studies. Especially for critical courses such as Medicine, Pharmacy and Dentistry, top students are required to admit into TOP 10 UNIVERSITY IN THE WORLD. I think that it is a ridiculous expectation from the government. Why are they forcing the top students to go overseas, particularly get admitted into Ivy Leagues, while not even asking the intentions of the students?

         

In my opinion, getting a qualification to become a doctor is far more crucial than enrolling in prestigious universities. When we graduate from any university, we will still have to return to our native country, conduct our housemanship, and do the mountains of works. In spite of which university we graduated from, we’d still have to earn experience by treating as many patients as possible, so as to apply all the medical knowledge we’ve all learnt before as well as the clinical training we performed on corpses during university. It makes no difference between an Oxford student or a UM student when it comes to medical knowledge, surgical procedure etc, because in the end we will still have to practice it in Malaysia. (Note: Even after spending 5 years in UK to study medicine, the housemanship must be carried out in our country, under JPA policy)

Personally, I don’t really prefer to enter such any great university which tops the ranking. I’m sick of endless and stiff competition, no time for entertainment, no time for establishing network and so on. It is my fervent hope that I can start enjoying my college life by not having hectic life I used to have when I was in secondary school. It was grueling and boring. Seriously, I can’t recall much memories spent with my friends. The books have been my forever companion. So It might a little bit pathetic, but I have no regret over it.

b) Those who get 9A+ and above will get Bursaries just for Pre U level?!

I like the idea, but I hate it at the same time.

The reason I like is that this simply shows that the Government is showing its wisdom by not simply giving away the scholarship. In previous years, there were many students who were not even considered “intelligent”, well, judging on SPM results, got local or overseas scholarships. This had left so many bright students in despair and disappointment as their hard work and efforts were not really paid off. There was no appreciation or recognition. It even broke their hearts seeing so many ill-deserved students to be awarded the scholarship.

When it comes to Pre U level, real intelligent has just began to be tested. To obtain CGPA above 3.5 is no easy task, unless with motivation and perspiration. This simply implies that the authorities acknowledge the deteriorating quality of SPM result. It proves nothing of a student’s accomplishment. There are some friends of mine which are not serious in studies, being playful all the time, managed to get 10A+, only their result slips were made not perfect by Chinese. Serve them right. During Pre U level, if they still persist in their happy-go-lucky fashion, they will score the high grades needed for JPA scholarship. In the end, they have to fund themselves instead of occupying the quota for the needy students! What a wise move has Government made!

The shortcomings are students tend to feel insecure. After fighting against SPM for almost two years, hoping that good results equal JPA, we have to go through it ALL OVER AGAIN in Pre U. For me, the exhaustion and insecurity are beyond description. It seems that no matter how hard did we try, we still have to submit to JPA’s decision and discretion. Shall Lady Luck be with us all the time, we might have our luck tried again, aspiring after another perfect shot. But what if this time we are not going to make it again? What if we succumb to the pressure of studies, anxiety of financial circumstance and in the end, our grades are considered a mediocrity? There are so many possibilities and uncertainties. Sometimes, JPA is putting a lot pressure among the poor students, because it is the end-all and be-all of their lives. WE WANT IT SO BAD!

Nonetheless, with the right kind of attitude, I’m sure we can make it to the pinnacles of our life. The roads are treacherous and deterringly dangerous, though we might stumble upon it once in a while, the fall is nothing, what matters most is we must arise each time we fall.

c) Those with 8A+ and below still can obtain JPA, with their Pre U results

This is a good news, after a devastating nightmare struck them a few weeks ago. The underachieving students should not give up or feel languished for their SPM results, on the contrary, they are given a chance to prove them that they are capable of reaching higher heights in their studies. It really serves as a motivational tool to push them beyond their limits and really knuckle down for their studies. As I have said in my previous posts, never ever impose yourself with a limiting belief. As such, gear up yourself, switch on the Mode and Mood, I’m sure they will deserve another shot in getting JPA scholarship in 2014!

d) Government will select 300 Engineers-Wannabe to go overseas

The students will be sent to countries like France, Germany, Poland and so forth to study Engineering. However, I’m certain before they leave Malaysia, they will have to master the language of the countries of which they are heading to. If I’m not mistaken, they will receive the language training within two years. Well, there are two sides of a coin. First, it is a great experience to learn a foreign culture, language and get to know different races of the country. Students will have to open their minds to adapt themselves with the all new environment. Inevitably, there will be some bad influences from the West, but if the students are wise enough; they will make a stand for themselves instead of suffering from inferiority complex. Furthermore, students are exposed to the latest advancement in technology, particularly in the Western countries. Scientists are making the breakthroughs in their researches from time to time, in which Malaysia will never able to do that. It is an undeniable fact that even Myvi, the so-called local car, is just a product from Japan where Malaysia modifies it (apparently) into our car of pride. That’s why Government wants to send our future engineers to overseas, hoping that they will be able to import the technology to our nation one day.

However, students will have to think twice before they decide if they can take up another language. That’s my advice.

Last but not least, I don’t even know how to choose!! Since STPM is recognized by JPA, a lot of my predecessors encourage me to enter Form 6 as the standard is really high and we can enter any universities in the world. But as for local matriculation and foundation, they are both not recognized globally and have a narrower range of topics, which will be a disadvantage to becoming a doctor. Doctors don’t choose the easiest pathway; they love boundless knowledge which will benefit them in the end. For A Level, it is too costly for me even though Government are offering bursaries.

So What Can I Do? I shall wait till next Monday, check out the application policy, consult with teachers and see what I can do with my best results in Perak. LOL….