IN 2009, former students of the Bukit Bintang Girls’ School (BBGS) rallied together to establish the Elena Cooke Education Fund, in memory of BBGS’s longest-serving headmistress, the late Elena Maude Cooke.
Their aim was to help underprivileged young Malaysians pursue tertiary education.
She was a strict disciplinarian yet known for her love for her students and her readiness to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Each year, the Elena Cooke Education Fund welcomes scholarship applications from disadvantaged and financially needy SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) and STPM (Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia) students.
Moey Yoke Lai, chairman of BBGS Alumni, which manages the Fund, said, “For these poverty-stricken students, education is key to break free from the cycle of poverty.
"Yet, many may not have the opportunity or access to further education due to financial constraints. This is where the Elena Cooke Education Fund offers a distinct difference."
She said that the fund empowers the students to study without worrying about finances.
“Scholarship recipients must also possess good academic performance, demonstrate a keen involvement in extra-curricular activities and have good character,” she added.
Today, 14 years later, the Elena Cooke Education Fund has helped 56 needy students achieve their dreams. Moey said the fund continues to pursue collaborations and avenues to raise funds to help more students in need.
Goh Sing Joy, 24, is just one of many Elena Cooke Education Fund scholars who are grateful they could chart a different course in life.
“Without the scholarship, most probably, I would have been driven to get a job instead of completing a degree,” said Sing Joy.
Her family includes a single mum, who is not able to work for health reasons, and an older brother.
Sing Joy pursued a three-year Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) in Software Systems Development course at Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TARUC) in 2019 through the fund.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity and support in my educational expenses. It allowed me to concentrate on my studies and lighten my family’s burden,” she added.
Sing Joy completed her course with Distinction, after having been on the Dean’s List four times at TARUC.
The scholar has since secured a good position at a company providing ERP (enterprise resource planning) services and can contribute financially to her family.
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Moey shared that fund has been made possible through corporate and individual donors and collaborations with institutions of higher learning.
These include Sunway College, Sunway University and HELP University which waive all tuition fees and general fees, while the Elena Cooke Education Fund provides allowances for accommodation, books and other living expenses.
Students who apply to selected public universities are also eligible to apply for scholarships. However, these will be only partial scholarships.
This year's applications are now open to SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) and STPM students who have received their examination results. The closing date is two weeks after the 2022 SPM or STPM (whichever is the later) results are announced.
More information and the application form can be downloaded from BBGS ECEF Scholarship 2023. – The Vibes, June 21, 2023
