PNB scholarship programme marks 30 years of building talent

Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) marked 30 years of nurturing Malaysian talent through its scholarship programme, according to Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan. Speaking at the celebratory event in Kuala Lumpur, Amir emphasized the programme's role in fostering social mobility and cultivating national leadership.

Launched in 1996, the PNB Scholarship Programme has supported 6,547 recipients across secondary and tertiary education and professional development initiatives, investing nearly RM570 million over three decades. The programme now boasts 333 alumni serving within PNB, with 30% occupying positions on the Management Executive Committee.

Amir urged PNB scholarship alumni to give back to society, particularly those from rural areas and low-income households, by mentoring and nurturing new talent. He highlighted the achievements of alumni as evidence that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's Bakat Madani initiative, aiming to place 25,000 low-income young Malaysians into strategic sectors by mid-2027, is on the right track.

PNB Group Chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Uda emphasized the importance of investing in human capital alongside financial assets, stating that the success of scholarship recipients has contributed to the nation's competitiveness and economic resilience. Many PNB alumni now hold senior positions in leading organizations across various sectors, both locally and internationally.