Gamuda Scholarship: STEM-driven Careers for a Digital-ready Workforce

Malaysia needs engineers. To become a high-tech and high-income nation, the government is pushing a digital-ready and AI-skilled workforce, which includes raising the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education target ratio to 60 percent. 

As a regional engineering and construction company, Gamuda has a hand in shaping engineers and high-skilled labour to meet these demands. 

Since 1996, the Gamuda Scholarship under Yayasan Gamuda has paved the way for exceptional young Malaysians to pursue their studies locally and globally, with access to reputable universities the likes of Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, Peking University, Nanyang Technological University, and University of New South Wales. 

“For our scholars, graduation is only the beginning of their journey to a flourishing career. Many have chosen to join Gamuda upon completing their studies. Our workforce benefits tremendously from this ready pipeline of true talent and many of our scholars are helming senior management positions within the company today,” said Ts. Lim Hui Yan, Gamuda Engineering deputy managing director and Yayasan Gamuda head. 

Instrumental in expanding the Group's data centre portfolio through her initiation of Gamuda Next-Gen Digital IBS, Gamuda scholar Lim specialised in mechanical engineering at Universiti Putra Malaysia. 

Secure Career Pathway 

Beyond education access, Gamuda Scholarship secures their career pathways with guaranteed job placements, which include regional work postings, where they can contribute to the Group’s key projects. 

Gamuda Engineering senior engineering geologist, Intan Irwani Binti Mohamad Zin, recalled that the starting point was crucial in shaping her successful five-year career with Gamuda: “I enhanced my technical skills during my internship with the tunnelling experts in the MRT Putrajaya Line.” 

“From the MRT Putrajaya Line, I’ve gone on to work on the Penang Mutiara Line and Silicon Island reclamation,” said the 2016 scholar, a Universiti Malaya geology graduate. 

The multifaceted nature of Gamuda’s projects allows scholars to broaden their expertise across diverse engineering disciplines. 

“My career journey began as a Site Engineer on the MRT Kajang and Putrajaya Lines, where I had a hand in utilities, underground station mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, as well as extra-low voltage (ELV) systems works,” said Gamuda Engineering mechanical and electrical manager, Ong Kian Chun. 

“I was also involved in systems interfacing, integration testing and commissioning works for the MRT project,” added the 2008 electrical engineering scholar from Universiti Malaysia Pahang. Today, Ong is attached with a data centre project, focusing on Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Security, and Network systems. 

Ong at the chiller plant room at the MRT Putrajaya Line’s Sentul Barat Station in 2023.  

Holistic Development Beyond Financial Aid 

Beyond financial aid, the scholarship programme builds well-rounded scholars through leadership training, networking and mentoring programmes, and holistic development. We are building the next generation of leaders for Gamuda. 

Ong reminisced about the time he was entrusted to manage a critical task early in his career. 

“As a fresh graduate then, I led the relocation of TNB’s 275kV underground cables, which were on the path of the MRT Kajang Line’s Maluri Underground Station development. My mentor and team empowered me to take ownership and drive the project to completion.”  

For Intan, who is passionate about personal growth and soft skills, she took the initiative to spearhead the Sports Club at the Penang Silicon Island project. 

“Apart from sports activities, we have community service programmes. During our Beach Clean Up, we collected nearly one tonne of waste!” 

“The club is where we break down departmental barriers and ensure employee well-being. My team and I discovered that work-life integration is not a myth,” she quipped. 

Intan’s small frame stands in stark contrast to the scale of the truck at Penang Silicon Island, but her contributions are impactful. On this site walk, she is helping evaluate new machinery for fuel consumption tracking. Intan (right) with the design and technical team at Penang Mutiara Line’s future stations, to understand site conditions before construction begins

Education Access Transforms Lives 

Many students can’t afford their dreams of studying at world-class universities, even when they have successfully secured a place. But Ong and Intan’s stories have been a testament to the transforming power of the Gamuda Scholarship. 

“Our scholarship programme provides equal education opportunities to B40 and M40 students and those from marginalised communities, positively impacting their lives. To date, 763 students have experienced a life-changing journey through the Gamuda Scholarship, opening the door to a brighter future,” said Lim, who was a beneficiary of the scholarship in 2008. 

Covering full tuition fees, living expenses, accommodation, book and laptop allowances, the scholarship alleviates students’ financial burdens, leaving them free to focus on what truly matters – their studies and campus life. 

With a final word of advice, Intan calls students seeking financial aid to try for the Gamuda Scholarship. “The programme is for anyone aiming for growth and keen to tap into opportunities in the construction industry.” 

Ong concurs, leaving us with this: “Gamuda offers a dynamic environment where driven individuals can thrive and those with the right mindset will undoubtedly pave their way to a rewarding career.” 

Apply for the Gamuda Scholarship today.