PETALING JAYA: The shortlisting of candidates for The Star Education Fund has begun.
Sunway University Department of Psychology head Prof Nigel Marsh said they were looking for candidates who have done well academically and who have maintained a balanced lifestyle.
“We ask them how they spend their time. If they just sit at home, read their textbooks and don’t have any extracurricular activities, then that is unbalanced and unhealthy,” he said.
The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus School of English head Dr Derek Irwin said they were also looking for well-rounded achievers who needed financial assistance.
“We’re looking to provide scholarships for those students who have already achieved academic excellence but cost is stopping them from coming to our institution,” he added.
SEGi University deputy registrar Kiranjit Kaur said they look at the family background to determine if the candidate deserves the scholarship.
“(We are) especially looking if their parents are separated, single parent or maybe only one parent is employed. We feel they are more needy compared with another candidate who comes from an affluent family,” she added.
She also advised candidates to research their chosen course and the job prospects before attending the interview.
Singapore Institute of Management international student recruitment executive Tan Lin Hui also said it was important for candidates to be outspoken, true, honest and charismatic during the interview.
Raffles College of Higher Education sales and marketing senior manager David Liew advised candidates to show passion for their chosen course during the interview.
“If they have hobby work or samples that they have done before, we encourage them to bring it along (to the interview),” he added.
Star Education Fund manager Susanna Kuan stressed that applicants need to be patient and wait for the call or email from The Star on whether they have been shortlisted for the Star Education Fund.
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