The Board of Trustees of the Yek Min Ek Foundation convened on 28th August 2026 for its 49th Board of Trustees Meeting to select the Foundation’s scholars for the year.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Yek Siew Liong, Chairman of the Yek Min Ek Foundation, with Trustees Dr. Wong Ching Seh, Mr. Law Siong Lee, Mr. Timothy Yek Li-Yuan and Trustee/Secretary Mrs. Edith Yek in attendance. Trustee Mr. Hii Ching Chiong conveyed his apologies as he was unable to attend due to the cancellation of his flight.
The Chairman commended the Sarawak Government’s Free Tertiary Education Scheme (FTES), implmented this year 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, as a significant initiative to widen access to tertiary education for eligible Sarawakian students.
The FTES provides free tuition for Sarawakians pursuing selected courses at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, University of Technology Sarawak, i-CATS University College and Curtin University Malaysia.
The Foundation recognises the importance of this initiative in widening access to tertiary education and alleviating the financial burden of higher education for Sarawakian students and their families.
At the same time, the Yek Min Ek Foundation remains relevant in supporting students pursuing courses at other universities and in disciplines not covered under the FTES. The Foundation will continue to play a complementary role in assisting deserving students whose educational needs fall outside the scope of the scheme.
The Foundation’s selection criteria focus on needy students who are outstanding in their studies 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 and make practical contributions towards the country’s development in general and Sarawak in particular, while fostering an appreciation of the spirit of giving back to society.
For 2026, the Foundation continues to support 11 scholars from previous years and has selected 3 new scholars, bringing the total to 14 scholars for the year.
The Board of Trustees wishes all applicants every success in their educational pursuits and future endeavours.