Eleven deserving students were awarded the notable Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK) Scholarship through its Yayasan KLK (KLK Foundation) to pursue a degree at a local higher-learning institution in Malaysia. This year, KLK committed over RM440,000 to fund the students through their entire academic year, an increase from the previous year.
Tan Sri Lee Oi Hian, the CEO of KLK commented, “The awarding of the KLK Scholarship demonstrates our commitment to develop young Malaysians into leaders of tomorrow. This is a continuation of the vision of KLK’s founder Tan Sri Lee Loy Seng, my father, who started awarding scholarships back in 1977 for deserving students.”
The 11 scholars were present at the awards ceremony held recently at KLK’s office at Menara KLK, Mutiara Damansara. At the ceremony, the scholars were introduced to the Company’s leadership, its culture, ethics and how the Company is touching lives every day through its Corporate Responsibility Programmes. Top management of KLK was also present to mingle with the scholars.
At the event, the scholars shared their aspirations for the future. Abdul Azim who received a scholarship to pursue Agriculture Science says that he is grateful for the scholarship as it helps him not only pursue his course, but if he does well, he is able to get a job at KLK. Fellow scholar Prem Kumar who is pursuing Mechanical Engineering says that he is looking forward to put his knowledge to good use and, if successful, come back to work for the Company’s rubber division.
A good number of previous scholars have gone on to hold leadership positions within KLK. Some of the scholars that joined the Company are second and third generation employees thus demonstrating KLK’s position as an employer of choice.
One such person is Devan Subramanium. His father served in KLK as one of its field supervisors. He commented that, “Without the KLK Scholarship, it would have been difficult or impossible for me to pursue my degree. Moreover, my Bachelor Degree in Urban and Regional Planning required more expenses compared to other courses as we needed specific tools to produce layout drawings.” Devan returned to KLK as a cadet planter and has successfully climbed the ranks to become a Senior Manager managing over 3000 hectares of plantation with over 300 of employees under him.
The KLK Scholarship is one of the many ways in which KLK lives out its values in society and gives back to communities be it through education, provision of basic necessities like water, medical facilities and proper housing as well as contribute to nation building by providing job opportunities especially to rural communities where oil palm plantations are usually located.
For information on a career at KLK or on the Yayasan KLK Scholarships, please go to www.klk.com.my.
