tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post2783909741296416328..comments2024-03-11T14:23:19.494+08:00Comments on EDUCATION IN MALAYSIA: Tracking down JPA scholarsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-50356404382969831332009-02-04T12:01:00.000+08:002009-02-04T12:01:00.000+08:00I did apply for the JPA scholarship and went throu...I did apply for the JPA scholarship and went through the interview process,but turn out failed.I mean i don't secure a place,I don't really know how they judge.But this event certainly reveal me of the unfair treat i ot fr this country.never mind i always assure myself,as I "think" that it will be fair enough if the scholars need to be bonded or return the money back.however,i was quite ...disappointed by the fact that many(jpa scholars) intend and are "skipped" from the repayment.For the unlucky one like me,who fail to get a place,its cerainly unfair.as the jpa scholars do stand a better chance and opportunity in working place,as they hold the oversea degree.My parents still mentioned about this though it happened a few years back,I knew my parents are feeling injustice for me.I know,yes I understand that.<BR/>My heart still ache when i think of this. Do pray for the brighter future of the children of this land!lo and behold!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-89210761693248396222007-09-30T18:41:00.000+08:002007-09-30T18:41:00.000+08:00Shame on you JPA...How come Singapore scholarship ...Shame on you JPA...<BR/>How come Singapore scholarship holders are tracked down and taken care off..<BR/>Whereas you goons in JPA cannot do this simple task...<BR/>Plain "bull-!@#%"Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01766235580434970296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-78142618447135311522007-07-24T10:38:00.000+08:002007-07-24T10:38:00.000+08:00"(I wonder what's the response from Descartes High..."<BR/><BR/>(I wonder what's the response from Descartes Higher Education Counselling Centre (DECC)in inviting bond breaker(s) to talk about Top American Liberal Arts Colleges. The more Bond breaking, The merrier?)<BR/><BR/>Too bad, nobody is innocent."<BR/><BR/>What exactly are you talking about? Actually, JPA doesn't even allow its students to apply to Liberal Arts Colleges. So I'm not sure what are you talking about. Don't just make unsubstantiated claims.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-19090850574012780702007-07-15T02:31:00.000+08:002007-07-15T02:31:00.000+08:00There's another lesser known group of JPA scholars...There's another lesser known group of JPA scholars: serving officers. Another difference is that these are for advanced/post-graduate degrees and the academic standard required is hence dictated by the universities, especially those at the doctoral level. So there are so-called casualties at the latter level who return without gaining the distinction of earning a Ph.D. degree.<BR/><BR/>But return they did, and readily serve out the bond as well. Bond breakers are a rarity for these mature students as the affiliated departments act as JPA's watchdogs. Any would-be defaulters is also likely deterred by the full weight of the General Orders.<BR/><BR/>As for publishing CGPAs of JPA scholars, personally I have no problem with that, but only as far as it is able to motivate the scholars to greater heights in their academic pursuits. I would readily admit that academic achievement is only one of the many yardsticks used in career advancement in the civil service.Say Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00201826880841157206noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-38204853243365829172007-07-10T22:52:00.000+08:002007-07-10T22:52:00.000+08:00*IgnoredActing like our politicians now? So SMART....*Ignored<BR/><BR/>Acting like our politicians now? <BR/><BR/>So SMART.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-14245820727151302722007-07-09T16:45:00.000+08:002007-07-09T16:45:00.000+08:00Dear Charis Quay, 1.You are pretty smart to notice...Dear Charis Quay, <BR/><BR/>1.You are pretty smart to notice that a few of those are LACs universities.<BR/><BR/>Check out the 2nd comment posted in the LAC post.It explains which unis are true LACs and which universities have [b]inclination [/b]towards Liberal Arts education.<BR/><BR/>This is the major difference and it probably narrows you down to a few remaining individuals in that list.<BR/>Try hard finding honorable bond breaker(s).<BR/><BR/>[i]Malaysia Boleh![/i]<BR/><BR/><BR/>2. CGPAs have always been a major controversy in Singapore due to the factor listed down by you. I acknowledge the fact that there could be a channeling effect in which scholars take up easy courses to maintain good CGPA.<BR/><BR/>Firstly, What you have mentioned is also probably the major problem with scholarships nowadays. Scholarships are supposedly given to people with good academic ability to cope with a new learning environment and so on....(you add the list)<BR/><BR/>These scholars shouldn't have any problem attaining good grades if they are truly made of scholarly material. Only problem is, we are giving out too many scholarships now. Some are brilliant people, no problem for them. What about those who just crossed the mark or went lucky during scholarship selections? Complains.<BR/><BR/>Secondly, the context in which you are setting is totally different. Singaporean scholars are expected to continue with either a Masters degree or a Phd degree after attaining their basic degree. This is to facilitate their future growth and fulfill their potential. The fact that a high CGPA is required for grad school makes it imperative that the scholarship board set a high target such that scholars can qualify (note: qualify, not gain admission) to compete in the grad school applications. <BR/><BR/>(Check out the Good Grad Schools stated CGPA requirements and also their true CGPA requirements)<BR/><BR/>Malaysians scholars obtain their basic degree and...that's all. Some continue, kudos to them. But most don't. That's another question I shall leave for another day.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Thirdly, the CGPA channeling issue arises from the fact that the minimum requirement for Singaporean Scholars is a 1st class. Those who complain, I would suspect, are those getting 2nd upper class or so. Kinda like a miracle to find them failing-kiasu people.<BR/><BR/>What about Malaysian Scholars?<BR/><BR/>1st Class IS an option.<BR/><BR/>So IS 2nd Upper.<BR/><BR/>So IS Repeating the year, failing exams, wasting tax payers money.<BR/><BR/>Sweet.<BR/><BR/>Brought to you by Frequent Flyer<BR/><BR/>Irony.<BR/><BR/><BR/>(I wonder what's the response from Descartes Higher Education Counselling Centre (DECC)in inviting bond breaker(s) to talk about Top American Liberal Arts Colleges. The more Bond breaking, The merrier?)<BR/><BR/>Too bad, nobody is innocent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-72108039947890059912007-07-08T23:56:00.000+08:002007-07-08T23:56:00.000+08:00Another response to anon about CGPAs. I see this a...Another response to anon about CGPAs. I see this as an unnecessary burden on the Singaporean scholars. They are limited in the classes they can 'risk' taking because of this - so no exploratory classes in film, French literature or world politics (or even more difficult classes in their own area), which I think we would like our scholars to be able to take to broaden their horizons while abroad. Of course for scholars in the UK and other less flexible systems this may not be a consideration.<BR/><BR/>I don't know if JPA has a minimum CGPA requirement? I just haven't heard Malaysian scholars fretting about taking 'easy' classes as much as the Singaporeans - but then again bear in mind my sample is *very* small.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-82875598091258312632007-07-08T23:41:00.000+08:002007-07-08T23:41:00.000+08:00Current scholar, this begs a question I've been wa...Current scholar, this begs a question I've been wanting to ask for a long time: why offer scholarships in non-critical areas if you know you are not going to use the graduates? <BR/><BR/>The first poster, AO, has proposed an answer, but I am not sure if the reasons have been thought out as well as he has outlined. Similarly, the very low bonds posted until a few years ago could be interpreted either as cunning political machination or simple obliviousness. It's anyone's guess what the real reason is. <BR/><BR/>There were some murmurings (on the scholars' end) about released scholars joining JPA to reform the scholarship system...but I don't know what has come of it. AO, to counter your point I would say that just because there aren't explicit positions at the moment for high-powered, quite bright civil servants (and I'm not sure if this statement is even true) doesn't mean that they are not needed. On the other hand this doesn't mean that the absolute numbers may not still be too high or that the courses specified may be completely inappropriate.<BR/><BR/>To the other anon, JPA doesn't send people to liberal arts colleges that I know of.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-4729348117128427992007-07-08T17:58:00.000+08:002007-07-08T17:58:00.000+08:00As a current scholar, I am completely unoffended b...As a current scholar, I am completely unoffended by your suggestions - it is imperative that students who were educated using the public purse return home and serve the people who paid for their education, i.e. the taxpayers. No ifs or buts.<BR/><BR/>On another note regarding the release of JPA scholars from their bonds, the current trend seems to be for students in 'non-critical' fields such as law and economics to be exempt from serving out their scholarship bond. We can speculate till the cows come home as to why this is so but ostensibly the government service doesn't have the capacity to absorb these students into the civil service. For critical fields such as medicine, engineering and dentistry, however (which make up the overwhelming bulk of JPA scholarships offered), there have been no such cases.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-68352735631171312602007-07-08T17:19:00.000+08:002007-07-08T17:19:00.000+08:00Heya,I quote: Design a special position / training...Heya,<BR/><BR/>I quote: <EM>Design a special position / training program in the civil service that allows the JPA scholars to be rotated among different departments before being assigned / given the choice of a department.</EM><BR/><BR/>The JPA does have that actually. The program is called "Pegawai Tadbir Dan Diplomatik" if I am not mistaken.__marshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03711810297204287995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-12581024420993500782007-07-08T14:32:00.000+08:002007-07-08T14:32:00.000+08:001.Have there been any cases of scholars being boug...1.Have there been any cases of scholars being bought out of their bonds by the private sector or tertiary institutions? or they just ignore the fact that there is such thing as a bond? <BR/><BR/>Being bought out of a bond requires a person to sufficiently prove him/herself to be capable such that the investment from an outside firm is worthwhile (normally equating to a few times the original worth of the scholarship).<BR/><BR/>2. This would lead to the question on how our scholars are faring in their respective universities (since academic success is one of the means to gauge the potential of a person).<BR/><BR/>Are there any specific academic requirements that they must achieve to maintain their scholarship at all?<BR/><BR/>It also baffles me as to why, on average, are the scholars from Malaysia consistently not performing close to the standards of their Singapore peers under scholarships. (An open secret)<BR/><BR/>A search on the internet produced this:<BR/><BR/>http://www.a-star.edu.sg/astar/<BR/>studentsandscholarships/action/<BR/>scholarship_info_nss_sch.do<BR/><BR/>An example of listing out the CGPA of scholars would give tremendous visibility to taxpayers on how well their money are being spent.<BR/> <BR/>3. Not fulfilling the bond requirements requires both party to work hand in hand. Blaming the Government seems to be the easy way out. (Fault must be given where it is due)<BR/><BR/>4. Which leads me to refering you to your "Liberal Arts Colleges" post on June 20th, it is possible to find bond breaker(s) of JPA in it. Heh. Nice?<BR/><BR/>5. This also leads me into questioning the point of celebrating Malaysians getting into top universities in Newspapers. Wonderful news? Yes. Worth mentioning? Wait till one achieved true success, please. Gaining admission is one, surviving is another.<BR/><BR/>Individuals like this only managed to feature in newspapers down south. <BR/><BR/>http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/<BR/>news/story/0,4136,95917,00.html?<BR/><BR/>Biasa saja kan?<BR/><BR/>Brought to you by Frequent FlyerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-9892762388045889922007-07-08T13:51:00.000+08:002007-07-08T13:51:00.000+08:00negara kita kaya dan tidak memerlukan hutang di b...negara kita kaya dan tidak memerlukan <BR/>hutang di bayar......Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-16323244669996458292007-07-08T11:38:00.000+08:002007-07-08T11:38:00.000+08:00So what is new? Our country are very well known fo...So what is new? Our country are very well known for not utilizing her human potential. And in many cases, actually "pushing" them away and give it to other countries on a plate. Not recognizing the independent Chinese certificate is one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12123329.post-4894649501971991272007-07-08T10:31:00.000+08:002007-07-08T10:31:00.000+08:00There is a fundamental lack of clarity about what ...There is a fundamental lack of clarity about what the scholarship's aims are. If it truly is to recruit for the civil service -- which I hope it isn't, since the scholarships neither get, on average, the best possible candidates, nor actually succeed at channeling them into government service -- then the scholarships have failed abominably. <BR/><BR/>What the scholarship is, then, is a political tool. What better way of delivering large, one-off handouts to marginal constituents -- the middle class, in particular? That the scholarships are highly public and bear some semblance to a reward for merit is not to be ignored, to the extent that they deflect criticism for the handouts. That scholars are rarely obliged to return reflects the facts that first, the scholarship becomes, on average, far less valuable as a handout if it implies an obligation to join to the civil service, and second, that the public can't complain about what it doesn't know.<BR/><BR/>This is not to say most of the scholarships aren't a dreadful waste of money. They are. But I think the selection and retention policies are one of a piece. I doubt that there's a sufficiently large supply of talent available, or enough demand for high-powered civil servants, that JPA can sensibly send three hundred people to the US each year. If the scholarship is to remain political, which in all likelihood it will, then the numbers are fine as they stand. But otherwise, having three hundred relatively bright graduates enter the civil service, which neither uses nor rewards them in a fashion commensurate with their ability, is going to be, if not a waste of money, then surely a waste of talent.<BR/><BR/>AOAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com