KDU THE FIRST PRIVATE EDUCATION INSTITUTION TO RECOGNISE HARD WORK OF PARA-ATHLETES THROUGH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

SHAH ALAM, 17 October 2016 – In light of the recent achievement by our iconic Paralympic medalists who made Malaysians proud when they brought back three golds and a bronze medal from the Rio Paralympics last month, KDU University College announced the first scholarship fund for the Malaysian Paralympic Council (MPC), at the KDU Fitspiration Day held on 13 October at the institution’s Utropolis Glenmarie Campus.

The KDU Fitspiration Scholarship fund, which amounted to RM500,000, is to recognise the hard work and effort of all para-athletes.

Honoured Paralympic gold medalist, Mohamad Ridzuan Puzi, who clocked 12.07 seconds in the T36 100m sprint, made an exclusive appearance at the event together with fellow para-athletes from the Rio Olympics 2016 contingent, Mohd Shamil Bin Md Saad (107kg powerlifter) and Jong Yee Khie (97kg powerlifter). Their appearance drew KDU students into great excitement cheering for their national heroes.

The KDU Fitspiration Scholarship fund was presented by KDU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Hiew Pang Leang to MPC Deputy President Mr Ng Keng Chuan, witnessed by MPC committee members – Vice President Dato’ Subramaniam Raman Nair, Secretary General Pn. Siti Zahara Abdul Khalid, Manager of Athletes Development and Community Department G. Mohan; and Director of Sports Performance National Sport Institute of Malaysia, Dr. Vellapandian Ponnusammy.

Offered to athletes with physical impairment and with recommendation from MPC, the scholarship is in line with KDU’s aim to provide quality tertiary education for the para-athletes without jeopardising their utmost potential to excel both in sports and academic. It is also an athlete-led development programme whereby a network of support services and expertise are tailored to the individual needs of the athlete. The programme grades support depending on the athlete’s achievement, potential, & need with the objective of remaining flexible to support diverse needs of the athlete. 

The scholarship is not only opened to Malaysian para-athletes, but also to para-athletes from South East Asia representing their countries in sporting events. 

“In KDU, we believe in providing an opportunity for the youth to study, especially to those who are financially challenged. So now, we would like to extend this opportunity to our para-athletes. Under the KDU Fitspiration Scholarship Fund, para-athletes are welcome to pursue programmes offered at KDU,” said Hiew at a press conference, following the scholarship presentation ceremony.

The press conference was also co-chaired by Mr Jeffrey Chew, Group CEO of Paramount Corp Bhd, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hon Wei Min, Deputy Vice Chancellor - Academic, KDU University College, Mr. Ng Keng Chuan, Deputy President of MPC and Pn. Siti Zahara Abdul Khalid, Secretary General of MPC.

In his appreciation remarks, Mr. Ng Keng Chuan commented, “This is surely the milestone in the education history, especially for para-athletes. Now, they can also look forward to a future and career, when they retire from competitive sports, thanks to KDU, as one of the pioneer educators in providing such a platform to disabled athletes.” 

The scholarship presentation ceremony highlighted a week-long event, KDU Fitspiration 2016, organised by KDU’s Student and Alumni Centre (SAC) in conjunction with our National Sports Day, which was held on 8 October.

KDU Fitspiration was also the amalgamation of one of the SAC’s key initiatives this year— educating students and staff in taking care of their body, mind and soul. Hoping that the students and younger generation would be inspired by Paralympic athletes who achieved the seemingly impossible, the KDU Fitspiration initiative this year takes on the theme of ‘Compassion’.

Activities held throughout the week included health screening by National Heart Institute of Malaysia, goalball tournament, basketball tournament, dodgeball tournament, Zumba and health talks, culminating with a camp for students over the weekend.

To find out how you can hit the ground running with KDU University College, log on to www.kdu.edu.my or call 03-5565 0538 (KDU University College, Utropolis, Glenmarie) / 03-7953 6688 (KDU College, Damansara Jaya).