The Yek Min Ek Foundation held its 48th Board of Trustees Meeting on 14 August 2025 in Bintulu.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Yek Siew Liong, Chairman of the Yek Min Ek Foundation and attended by Trustees Dr. Wong Ching Seh, Mr. Law Siong Lee, Mr. Timothy Yek Li-Yuan, and Trustee/Secretary Mdm. Edith Kiu Poh Een. Trustee Mr. Hii Ching Chiong conveyed his apologies as he was unable to attend due to the rescheduling of his flight.
The Chairman expressed his appreciation to all the Trustees for their continued commitment to the Foundation and to the Secretary for the preparation of the applicants’ information, which enabled the Board to undertake a fair and careful assessment of the applications.
The Chairman on behalf of the Yek Min Ek Foundation commends the Sarawak Government’s initiative, under the leadership of the Premier of Sarawak, the Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, to provide free tertiary education to Sarawakians through the Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), commencing in 2026.
The FTES provides free tuition fees for Sarawakians pursuing selected courses at selected universities, namely Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College and Curtin University Malaysia.
The Foundation recognises the significance of this initiative in widening access to tertiary education for Sarawakian students and reducing the financial burden associated with pursuing higher education. At the same time, the Foundation remains relevant in supporting students pursuing courses at other universities that are not covered under the FTES.
The Foundation’s criteria for selection focuses on needy students outstanding in study and conduct, irrespective of their ethnicity or the discipline they choose to pursue. The Foundation seeks not only to mitigate their financial constraints, but also to help them discover their potential, develop their capabilities so that they can make practical contributions towards national development in general and to Sarawak in particular, and appreciate the spirit of giving back to society.
For 2025, the Foundation continues to support 12 scholars from previous years and has selected 5 new scholars, bringing the total to 17 scholars for the year.
The Board of Trustees wishes all applicants every success in their educational pursuits and future endeavours.