THE Penang Hindu Endowment Board (PHEB) is looking into providing financial aid to students who pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses, its chairman Prof Dr P. Ramasamy said.
Dr Ramasamy said that the idea was mooted to encourage more students to take up STEM.
“We have distributed nearly RM350,000 in financial assistance to students in public institutions of higher learning (IPTA), private institutions of higher learning (IPTS) and some 30 students who pursued vocational studies in 2019.
“Next, we hope to assist students who pursue STEM courses,” Dr Ramasamy said during the state-level Ponggal celebration at the PHEB premises on Feb 2.
Dr Ramasamy, who is also the Deputy Chief Minister II, also lauded the Penang government for allocating RM30,000 for the Ponggal celebration.
Various activities such as the traditional Ponggal cooking competition, Indian traditional sports ‘Kabbadi’ and ‘Uriyadi’ (an Indian traditional fun game) were held at the event.
Dr Ramasamy said that a run was also held on Feb 1 this year to mark the special occasion.
“We might consider making it (the run) an annual event since it has garnered an overwhelming response,” Dr Ramasamy said.
He also expressed hope that the Hindu Endowment Board could be set up in every state in the Peninsula Malaysia.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad