Over 2,800 Bumiputera Students Graduate Through Yayasan Peneraju's Tunas Programmes

KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 (Bernama) -- More than 2,800 students have graduated through the Peneraju Tunas Geliga and Peneraju Tunas Potensi programmes under Yayasan Peneraju (YP), which supported Bumiputera youths at different stages of their educational journey.

In a statement today, YP said its 2025 impact study showed that 93.8 per cent of surveyed Tunas Potensi graduates secured employment, while 23.4 per cent progressed to Master's or doctoral studies.

"Among surveyed Tunas Geliga alumni, 82 per cent advanced to diploma or degree studies, reflecting the programmes' contribution towards expanding educational opportunities and strengthening upward mobility among Bumiputera youths," the statement said.

According to YP, Peneraju Tunas Geliga focused on secondary school students by opening doors to boarding schools while providing camps and holistic development opportunities designed to build confidence, leadership skills and aspirations beyond their immediate surroundings.

“Of the 1,415 students enrolled in the programme, 1,286 completed their studies,” it added.

YP said Peneraju Tunas Potensi supported Bumiputera youths pursuing higher education at local and international institutions, adding that 1,538 of the 1,638 scholars enrolled have graduated.

Among the notable success stories is that of Johanes Dedi Kanchau from Engkilili, Sarawak, whose father sold two turtles found by a river to cover the transportation costs for his interview for Peneraju Tunas Potensi programme in Kuching.

"The journey to that interview meant a lot to me because it came with real sacrifice from my family. Being accepted into the programme motivated me to work even harder and make full use of the opportunity that had been given to me," said Johanes, who is currently pursuing a PhD in Medicine (Cardiology) at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

Another alumnus, Nazrul Adrian Abdullah from Terengganu, used the Peneraju Tunas Potensi platform to pursue a Master of Pharmacy at University College London (UCL) and currently serves as a lead pharmacist in London.

"The programme gave me the support and encouragement to pursue opportunities I once thought were beyond reach. It showed me that with the right foundation, Bumiputera talents can grow, compete and succeed at an international level," he said.

Nazrul was part of the team that received the UCL Vice Provost Education Award in 2022 and the Pearson Education Award, while also contributing as an author to articles published in the Journal of Chemical Education in the United States.

Meanwhile, Enggelia Machop from Sungai Rajang, Kapit, Sarawak, who was raised by a single mother, overcame intense personal doubts after experiencing the structural confidence-building modules at the Peneraju Tunas Geliga camp.

"At that time, I did not fully realise how much this opportunity would change my life. Looking back, joining the programme gave me the confidence to keep going and to believe that I could build a better future through education," said Enggelia, who recently graduated with First Class Honours from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

Meanwhile, YP chief executive officer Ibrahim Sani stated that since its establishment in 2011, YP has benefited over 93,000 individuals nationwide through various talent development initiatives.

He said that while programmes such as Peneraju Tunas have concluded, the agency's commitment to strengthening Bumiputera competitiveness remains unchanged.

"Moving forward, YP will continue to strengthen Bumiputera participation in high-value professional and technology fields that are increasingly important to the country's future economy,” he said.

In line with the aspirations of Ekonomi MADANI, PuTERA35 and the 13th Malaysia Plan, he said YP remains focused on developing more Bumiputera talents for high-skilled careers, while supporting the long-term goal of producing 10,000 value creators and reaching 100,000 talents by 2030.

For more details regarding YP's financing schemes, professional certifications and technology programmes, visit its official website peneraju.org.

-- BERNAMA