Kuala lumpur: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) has dedicated nearly RM570 million since 1996 to its PNB Scholarship Programme, aiming to cultivate talent that contributes to Malaysia's progress. Launched with an initial cohort of 10 students, the initiative has since benefited 6,547 scholarship recipients, with 726 alumni still engaged with the PNB network.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan highlighted that the scholarships are a strategic long-term investment. The returns, while not immediately visible, have a lasting impact across generations. He emphasized that the programme's true value lies in nurturing talent, opening doors to opportunities, and enabling social mobility to build a more inclusive and prosperous nation.
At the PNB Scholarship Programme's 30th anniversary celebration, Amir Hamzah noted the programme's evolution into a platform that supports educational assistance and advances the national agenda. It unlocks the potential of young Malaysians from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds to become future leaders. The success of the programme is evident in its alumni, who now contribute to Malaysia's development as professionals, researchers, entrepreneurs, civil servants, and corporate leaders.
Amir Hamzah also stressed the importance of human capital development in the face of rapid advances in artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and energy transition challenges. He stated that a country's true competitive advantage lies in the strength of its human capital rather than natural resources or physical infrastructure.
Under the MADANI Economy Framework and the GEAR-uP initiative led by the Finance Ministry, the government's focus is on developing competitive and resilient local talent capable of creating high-value opportunities for the national economy. The Bakat MADANI initiative aims to involve 25,000 young people from low-income families in the country's strategic-sector ecosystem by mid-2027, covering sectors like semiconductors, green energy, digital technology, and AI.
Raja Arshad, PNB Group chairman, remarked that three decades of the PNB Scholarship Programme reflect PNB's commitment to talent development and a legacy of achievement and hope. Through the programme, PNB is not only opening doors to education but also empowering future leaders who can drive the nation's development.
PNB scholarship alumni have succeeded in various fields, holding senior positions at leading organisations in Malaysia and abroad, and taking on leadership roles across multiple sectors. At PNB, many alumni are part of the senior leadership and workforce across strategic functions such as investment, sustainability, risk, legal, compliance, sales, and distribution.
Amir Hamzah reiterated that human capital development through institutions like PNB has a broader impact as nurtured talent strengthens other institutions across the country. This significantly enhances the competitiveness and resilience of the national economy.
The scholarship programme now offers various learning pathways, including secondary and higher education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), professional programmes, and heritage-related programmes. Recipients receive financial assistance, academic preparation support, mentoring, industry training opportunities, international exposure, and continuous development.
To commemorate its 30th anniversary, PNB also launched PNB Lumina, a platform connecting PNB scholarship alumni to continue growing together, providing mentorship, inspiration, and giving back to society.