Each recipient will receive cash support valued at up to RM10,000 to cover airfares, accommodation, subsistence, registration fees and association membership fees. Three winners will be selected one to represent the Northern, Central and Southern regions of Sarawak.
Applications close on 30 June 2009 for conventions being held between August 2009 and December 2010. The scholarship will be promoted through direct mail to universities and government departments and by radio. The Borneo Post has also kindly agreed to promote the scholarship as a community service program through sponsorship of advertising as an official media partner for the program.
In announcing the new scholarships, Sarawak Convention Bureau Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Jill Henry said: “To attract more association conventions, we need more Sarawakians to be active attending overseas conventions as either delegates, speakers or board members.”
“This is because most association meetings require an invitation from a local member branch to meet their bid selection criteria. By sponsoring convention attendees, we hope to showcase the benefits and opportunities of attending conventions and nurture future convention hosts willing to bid to bring a meeting here”.
“A recently concluded market research study involving interviews with over 400 meeting planners has revealed that 60% of the international associations surveyed do not yet have a branch in Malaysia. This is a great opportunity for Sarawak to establish new National Associations to be headquartered here,” she said. “At the moment nearly all the established Malaysian associations have their headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.”
The SCB scholarships are open to all Sarawak residents over 18 years of age studying or employed in educational institutions, companies, or government departments. They must either be existing members of non profit or government associations or eligible to join. The selected convention must rotate among different destinations and have the ability to be hosted in Malaysia.
TWO STEP EASY PROCESS
Intending applicants should first seek confirmation that their chosen convention is eligible by contacting the Sarawak Convention Bureau. If applicants are unsure of which convention they wish to attend, the Bureau can also assist by providing an extract of qualified conventions on particular topics.
Once the convention is approved, applicants should then address the following simple selection criteria:
- Tell us about yourself, your education, your current role and your areas of interest for learning and research. (Maximum 1 A4 page) Weighting 10.
- Tell us about the Convention you would like to attend. Where is it being held. Where has it been held in the past. The topics and issues about which you would like to learn more and how attending this convention could benefit you, your organization and Sarawak. (Maximum 2 A4 pages) Weighting 20.
- Tell us how you would use the RM 10,000 scholarship. Give a budget detailing breakdown of costs to attend the selected convention. Weighting 10.
- Interview – Shortlisted applicants will be required to discuss their application via a telephone or face to face interview with the judging panel in a 15 minute interview. Weighting 40.
Application forms are available from the Sarawak Convention Bureau or can be downloaded from www.businesseventssarawak.com
Enquiries and applications should be sent to:
Mr. Dylan Redas Noel
Sarawak Convention Bureau
Lot 31 Jalan Masjid
Kuching 93400
Sarawak, Malaysia
Tel: 082 242 516
Fax 082 242 519
Email [email protected]
