TWO students – Daniel Tan Yuhong and Himmanesh Kalai Selvan – are on cloud nine after receiving an RM150,000 scholarship each from ams OSRAM to study mechanical engineering in Germany from March next year.
This is the first time ams OSRAM is awarding such a scholarship, one to an employee’s child, and another to the public.
Yuhong and Himmanesh, both 20, have been accepted into the University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten.
The duo were all smiles when they received a mock cheque from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at the closing ceremony of the AgriTech 2022 at ams OSRAM yesterday.
Also present were vice-president and managing director of ams OSRAM Glen Brownlie, OSRAM Malayasia R&D director Dr David Lacey and ams OSRM Malaysia principal specialist and corporate communications Audrey Cheah, Penang Science Cluster director Datuk Yoon Chon Leong and Penang Science Cluster chief executive officer Datuk Ooi Peng Ee.
ams OSRAM, which has been operating in Penang for 50 years, wanted to give something ‘special’ to the students this year and came up with the International Scholarship Programme.
It is an educational collaboration programme between the University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten and German-based companies in Malaysia (ams Osram, Robert Bosch and B. Braun).
After finishing his secondary education at Chung Ling High School, Yuhong enrolled at Inti College for A-Levels studies in which he scored 3A*. He then took up German language classes by joining German Educare in Kuala Lumpur to prepare himself for further study.
“When I got to know that I have been awarded the ams OSRAM scholarship sometime in August or September, I decided to drop out of the (German Educare) preparatory programme.
“I’m thankful to be given this scholarship by OSRAM where my father is working.
“It has always been my dream to be an engineer because I am very interested in science subjects.
“On top of getting the scholarship, I will also have the opportunity to work in ams OSRAM because of a three-year bond. I don’t really have to find a job after graduating. This is secure,” Yuhong said smilingly.
His father, David Tan, said he was also very happy and proud of his son.
“I have been working with ams OSRAM for 25 years. I just told my son to apply for the scholarship and try his luck. Of course, my wife and I are delighted that our son is given this opportunity to study in Germany,” said David, who is an executive in the company.
For Himmanesh, he grabbed the scholarship even though he had been offered a place to study at Universiti Malaya.
“I had just finished my A-Levels at TAR University College and my original plan was to go to a local university.
“When I received the good news from ams OSRAM that I have got the scholarship, I could not believe it at first.
“After processing it, I was very excited because not everyone gets a chance to study overseas. For me to get the scholarship, I am very grateful to them.
“I was not sure what I wanted to do after my SPM. Then, when I did my A-Levels, I took up Economics, Physics, Maths and Further Maths. On one hand, I like economics because the subject interests me but on the other hand, I like mechanical engineering because I am very interested in cars and engines.
“So, my hope is that once I study mechanical engineering, I can make my way into automotive engineering as well,” said Himmanesh, who finished his secondary education at SMK Bukit Jambul.
Both his parents, Kalai Selvan Subramaniam and Shalinee David Fonseka, were present to share his joy.
“A big thank you to ams OSRAM. It is wonderful that our son is linked to such an esteemed company,” said Shalinee, an accountant by training who chose to be a housewife.
Kalai said he told his son to apply for the scholarship after getting to know about it from a WhatsApp Chat group.
“The scholarship is definitely a big help to the family. Initially, Himmanesh had thought of studying locally as he got entry into Universiti Malaya.
“Another factor why he chose the scholarship is because he would get a job with OSRAM upon returning home.
“As an engineer myself, I know it is right now not easy to get engineering talent. This programme encourages locals to study in this field and come back to serve,” said Kalai, who also praised his wife for taking care of Himmanesh and his two younger brothers.
Glen Brownlie, the vice-president and managing director of ams OSRAM Malaysia, said besides the awarding of the scholarships, the company has participated in many activities to help develop more skilled talents for the E&E industry.
To create an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) among young people, ams OSRAM has collaborated with Penang Science Cluster and Penang Skills Development Centre on numerous projects.
Brownlie said as a multinational continually growing and investing in the country, ams OSRAM feels an obligation to be part of the solution to address the talent shortage.
“Today, fewer than 50% of students are involved in STEM subjects and only 20% in pure science, while our neighbouring countries move ahead to introduce coding and ap development into their junior schools.
“There needs to be an effort by all parties to take a long-term view and changed the trend,” Brownlie said.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi and courtesy of ams OSRAM