Jahid (right), Jane (second right), Stanley (middle) and Anikoh (second left) pose with the mock cheque presented by Kiara College.
KOTA KINABALU: Twelve higher learning institutions in Sabah on 26 June will be taking part in the “Longest Nonstop Live Broadcasting Education Fair”, a feat that will go down in the Malaysia Book of Records.
The collaboration between Tamparuli native music troupe OMBAK, the Tuaran District Education Office and Kiara College is meant to inspire the current half million high school students in Sabah to pursue a higher education.
In the mean time, Kiara College has pledged RM 1.2 million worth of free education to 48 unprivileged Sabah students from the B40 group.
Three from Kampung Wasai in Tuaran have already been selected and the rest is vested up to OMBAK’s choosing.
State Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim who is also a patron for OMBAK said education is the catalyst for children to raise their families out of poverty.
He said that forms of donations must not necessarily be monetary to achieve a positive impact upon the nation.
“Knowledge transcends borders and generations. It is the backbone of this country’s advancements.
“It is with hopes that this collaboration which also involves UMS and UITM inspires the youth to never stop learning,” he told reporters at his office here.
Kiara College CEO, Anikoh Rusda, meanwhile said they are also working with NGOs to provide allowances for the 48 children.
“Our intentions are so that those enrolled under the scholarship programme are not worried by troubling their parents back in the village for pocket money.
“We want them to put full swing in their studies and see them get their diplomas or degrees down the line and become contributors to the economy,” she said.
Anikoh had also taken the chance to surprise OMBAK president, 59-year-old Jane Thing, an opportunity to enroll in a course of her liking at Kiara College.
Jane, who is an English teacher looking at retirement next year, said she was thankful and eager to take up classes related to management.
“My motto is anything is possible. Whatever things we do and whenever we choose to, we can achieve, if we set our hearts and minds to it,” the mother of six said.
“Many people believe that retirement is an excuse for inactivity and this mindset is fairly outdated. We should remain sharp mentally and fit physically.
“Education is something unlimited and as long as we are living we are constantly learning. There is nothing stopping retirees in going back to school,” she beamed.
The broadcast will be go live on https://www.facebook.com/crstanleymalaysia set up by OMBAK vice president Stanley Missun who says has an international audience reach of about 2.1 million.
Stanley said speakers from the various institutions will alternate between 1 hour talks and the day-long stream is expected to be tiring for him and his crew but one that they are ready for.
