Melaka: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has assured that outstanding tahfiz students who excel in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination will be awarded full scholarships should they pursue higher education at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and Universiti Poly-Tech MARA (UPTM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid stated he would soon hold discussions with Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki to realise this initiative. “This 100 per cent scholarship is already a practice under MARA’s Education Institutions (IPMA) for top-performing students, and this year, we will prioritise tahfiz school students for admission to UniKL and UPTM,” he said. Ahmad Zahid emphasized that these students, who are not only ‘huffaz’ (memorisers of the Quran), will also become professionals in their respective fields after graduation.

The announcement was made during the 2025 Huffaz Graduation and Ulul Albab excellence appreciation ceremony at Sekolah Menengah Imtiaz Ulul Albab Melaka. Also present was Prof Datuk Dr Mizan Hitam, chairman of the school’s board of governors and a member of the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM). The ceremony celebrated 82 students who completed the memorisation of all 30 juzuk (chapters) of the Quran throughout 2024, while 46 students received SPM 2024 excellence awards.

Discussing the upcoming National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Day 2025, Ahmad Zahid noted that the event, scheduled to be held at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) from June 11 to 13, would introduce new elements such as electric vehicles (EV), information technology (IT), and eSports. He highlighted the opportunity for prospective students and participants to explore TVET institutions across the country through exhibitions that showcase potential career prospects and salary scales available upon graduation.