KFC Malaysia Launches Scholarship With RM2.1 Million Fund For B40 Students
The scholarship will cover tuition fees at one of Malaysia's 20 public universities, in addition to a monthly living allowance and KFC meal vouchers.
By Jeremy Ng — 05 Jul 2024, 03:55 PM
KFC Malaysia recently unveiled The KFC Scholarship, an initiative aimed at empowering students from underprivileged communities in Malaysia to further their studies
The RM2.1 million initiative is targeted towards qualified B40 students aiming to pursue an undergraduate degree at any one of the 20 public universities in Malaysia.
In addition to tuition fees, the scholarship will cover a monthly living allowance and KFC meal vouchers.
A total of 30 students will be chosen to receive the scholarship — those interested can apply from now until 31 July.
Here are the application requirements:
- Students from B40 families aged between 18 to 21 years old during application date
- Students who have received an unconditional offer letter from a Malaysian public university
- Students who scored at least 6As (A or A+) in SPM, with an A or A+ in Bahasa Melayu, English, and Sejarah
- Students who scored a minimum CGPA of 3.0 in STPM, Asasi, or Matriculation
- Students who scored a minimum CGPA of 3.0 in STAM with a Jayyid Jiddah grade
Shortlisted students will participate in a screening and selection process by a panel of QSR Brands' leadership team. The scholarship will be awarded to 30 students, who will receive financial support to pursue their undergraduate degree for up to four years.
Since applications for The KFC Scholarship opened on 28 May via the KFC website, it has drawn over 500 applications.
According to a study by the UCSI Poll Research Centre, financial concerns were a significant barrier among those not continuing their studies
The 2023 study found that only half of the 1,000 SPM candidates surveyed planned to pursue tertiary education. Among those not continuing their studies, financial concerns were a significant barrier — 32% cited student loans as a deterrent and another 32% mentioned high education fees.
Rising living costs and education fees have made it increasingly challenging for many families, particularly those in underserved communities, to afford quality education for their children. The KFC Scholarship aims to alleviate these financial burdens and empower students to focus on their studies.
"Education is always close to my heart. It's the best investment of our children's future," said Chairman of QSR Brands Tan Sri Jamaludin Ibrahim
"As operators of the largest fast food chains in Malaysia, we at QSR Brands recognise its power to transform lives, uplift communities, and create a more equitable society. The KFC Scholarship reflects our commitment to investing in the community and empowering the next generation of leaders.
"By removing financial barriers, we aim to open doors to quality education and build economic opportunities for the future," he said.
QSR Brands CEO and Managing Director Nehchal Khanna added, "Education is the foundation for a better future and essential in shaping future leaders of Malaysia. We believe the power of education engages minds, hearts, and hands, fostering holistic development."
"It's not just about knowledge; it's about self-worth, confidence, and resilience. As we invest in education, we create a rich foundation for leadership and we hope through this scholarship programme, we will ultimately forge a brighter path for our youths, the next generation leaders of our country," Nehchal added.
The KFC Scholarship is an extension of KFC Add Hope, a charitable arm of KFC Malaysia that focuses on community development and welfare
While a key pillar of Add Hope is eradicating hunger, KFC Malaysia believes The KFC Scholarship will take this vision one step further by focusing on education to end the cycle of poverty and hunger.
By channelling resources into education, KFC Malaysia also aims to uplift the academic aspirations of students, fostering a brighter future for them and the nation.
"At KFC Malaysia, we believe in creating a positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve.
"Through the launch of the first KFC Scholarship, we are investing in the future of Malaysia by empowering young minds with the foundation they need to overcome social and economic barriers, pursue their dreams, and contribute to the nation's development. We hope to impact more young Malaysians in the years to come," said Head of KFC Malaysia Chandrasagran Munusamy.
Interested Malaysian students are encouraged to visit KFC's website for more information on The KFC Scholarship, including eligibility criteria, the application process, and deadlines
