KUCHING: Eighteen out of 54 recipients of Shell Scholarship came from Sarawak this year.


Eugenia examines her scholarship with her parents.


Ahmad Shah with his scholarship.


Mark and his dad David Dumau, 63, an Iban and mum Agatha Itam, 61. a Bidayuh live in Suba Bandar in Bau. Mark is the youngest offspring with a sister working as a nurse at Sarawak General Hospital.

They received their scholarships at an awards presentation ceremony held at a hotel here yesterday.

Twelve of them will be attending local universities while the other six students overseas universities in disciplines related to the oil and gas industry.

According to Shell Malaysia recruitment manager Haria Djuli, the company wants to continue to leave a lasting legacy from how they run their operations to how they work with communities.

“Human capital investment as represented through the Shell Educational Excellence Awards is our biggest commitment in social investment. Over the past 19 years, we have spent over RM100 million to help talented young Malaysians realise their ambitions,” he said when officiating at the awards ceremony.

Eugenia Edwin Galan, 19, an Iban lass from Sebuyau found the process of getting the scholarship demanding.

“The final stage was very competitive with lots of applicants and challenges to face, but fortunately after waiting for about nine months, the result was positive. I plan to take Chemical Engineering at University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom.”

After spending her high school years in SMK Seafield Subang Jaya followed by Foundation Studies (Science/Engineering) at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak, she is having a short break before going to the UK in September.

“I feel proud to be among a few Ibans to get this scholarship, and I hope to make my people proud.”

Besides being an excellent scholar, she was active in co-curricular activities, representing Selangor at Sukma 2012 where she ranked sixth in the finals of the individual 400m track event.

Eugenia aspires to be an engineer and hopes to secure a job with Shell.

“The secret of success is to set your priorities right, trust God, and hope for the best,” she said. She has the support and encouragement of her family.

The scholarship means everything to Ahmad Shah Azril Zaidil, 21, an ex-student from Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah in Kuching who will be graduating from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur with a Diploma in Civil Engineering this November.

“Being raised in a middle income family, getting this scholarship from Shell is what I have always wanted in life. As a son, I wish to lighten the burden of my parents, especially since my other siblings are still studying. This is a dream come true for me,” he said when interviewed by The Borneo Post.

Ahmad Shah from Petra Jaya, Kuching was active in sports in high school, participating in several competitions including handball and rugby. He was vice-president of Kolej Abdillah’s Briged Bestari and committee member of Red Crescent Society in high school.

“I got this scholarship to further my studies at Monash University in Melbourne Australia and will be doing Bachelor in Engineering, majoring in Civil Engineering in February next year,” he revealed.

The scholarship will give him the opportunity to experience other countries and a chance to tour Australia.

“My advice to students out there is be confident, polish your fluency in the English language, improve your communication and leadership skills and never give up on whatever you wish to do in life. Be prepared for everything.”

Ahmad Shah hopes to enter the oil and gas sector, getting as much experience as he can and run his own company one day.

Mark Julex David Dumau is glad to selected for the scholarship.

“The application for the scholarship was tough. I have been waiting for months. Shell Scholarship is not easy to get as they have four stages: apply online, write application, and attend one interview then another interview.”

Mark received the scholarship for studying at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Johor and is doing a four-year Bachelor in Chemical Engineering. He is in his third year.

His ambition is to be an engineer, probably for the oil and gas industry.

“You have to think positive, tackle things one day at a time. We don’t have to rush into doing things we want to do in life. The time will finally come when we will be able to cherish the glorious moment with pride.”

Representing Rural Development Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu at the event, Welfare Assistant Minister Robert Lawson Chuat also presented bursaries worth RM750 each to outstanding PMR students from throughout Sarawak.

The 110 students from Sarawak, identified with the help of the Department of Education, received bursaries to continue to excel in upper secondary school this year.