Scholarship to commemorate Sudirman and aid an underprivileged student to hone vocal performance
Kuala Lumpur, 7 November 2016 – Music legend the late Dato’ Sudirman Arshad was talented beyond measure, an iconoclast who captivated Malaysia with his unique voice and striking stage persona.
In 1989, a young, diminutive Sudirman stepped onto the world stage during the Asian Music Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and defied expectations, clinching the Best Asian Performer award.
A symbol of bearing the Malaysian flag proudly, he united Malaysians regardless of race or religion through his voice and melodies.
In memory of Sudirman, The Actors Studio, with the help of Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), has established the Sudirman Scholarship to commemorate 25 years since the passing of the Malaysian music legend.
The scholarship will be awarded next year to an outstanding young talent to pursue a degree in vocal performance at a local university.
The Actors Studio Co-Founder and Executive Producer Dato’ Faridah Merican said the musical tribute received overwhelming response and rekindled memories of the acclaimed singer.
“We must ensure that his name will continue to shine and inspire a new generation of artistes who embody the qualities he was well known for – his tireless pursuit of creative excellence, his outstanding showmanship as well as his belief in the idea of a Malaysia for all Malaysians.”
“It has been Joe’s (Hasham) and my lifelong passion to nurture new talent, which is one of the key reasons why we set up The Actors Studio.
“With the Sudirman Scholarship, we can play a bigger role to nurture an artiste-in-making who can make the country proud like Sudirman and perhaps even put us on the world map again,” Faridah said.
YSD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hajjah Yatela Zainal Abidin said the Sudirman Scholarship is an extension of the efforts taken under the Foundation’s Education pillar.
YSD has been offering scholarships to underprivileged students since 1982, with a total of RM248.4 million worth of scholarships and bursaries awarded to 3,208 deserving Malaysians and students from countries in which Sime Darby operates, to pursue higher education at selected local and international universities.
“The Sudirman scholarship is a double-pronged approach and we hope that this scholarship will act as a springboard for underprivileged students to realise their latent talent in singing in an effort to cultivate a promising career in vocal performance.
“Allahyarham Dato’ Sudirman himself came from a humble family but with support and encouragement, he rose to eminence with his exceptional voice. In addition to being a qualified lawyer, he poured his heart and soul into music passionately. We hope to mould students to aspire to become just like the icon,” she added.
Candidates who are eligible for the Sudirman scholarship are students aged 25 years old and below who hail from underprivileged families with a total monthly household income of RM3,000 and below.
Candidates will also be required to have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 in either Sijil Tinggi Peperiksaan Malaysia (STPM), Pre-University programmes, Local Matriculation or Diploma studies.
The closing date for applications is 31 December 2016 and the results will be announced on 22 February 2017.
Kuala Lumpur, 7 November 2016 – Music legend the late Dato’ Sudirman Arshad was talented beyond measure, an iconoclast who captivated Malaysia with his unique voice and striking stage persona.
In 1989, a young, diminutive Sudirman stepped onto the world stage during the Asian Music Awards at the Royal Albert Hall, London, and defied expectations, clinching the Best Asian Performer award.
A symbol of bearing the Malaysian flag proudly, he united Malaysians regardless of race or religion through his voice and melodies.
In memory of Sudirman, The Actors Studio, with the help of Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), has established the Sudirman Scholarship to commemorate 25 years since the passing of the Malaysian music legend.
The scholarship will be awarded next year to an outstanding young talent to pursue a degree in vocal performance at a local university.
The Actors Studio Co-Founder and Executive Producer Dato’ Faridah Merican said the musical tribute received overwhelming response and rekindled memories of the acclaimed singer.
“We must ensure that his name will continue to shine and inspire a new generation of artistes who embody the qualities he was well known for – his tireless pursuit of creative excellence, his outstanding showmanship as well as his belief in the idea of a Malaysia for all Malaysians.”
“It has been Joe’s (Hasham) and my lifelong passion to nurture new talent, which is one of the key reasons why we set up The Actors Studio.
“With the Sudirman Scholarship, we can play a bigger role to nurture an artiste-in-making who can make the country proud like Sudirman and perhaps even put us on the world map again,” Faridah said.
YSD Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hajjah Yatela Zainal Abidin said the Sudirman Scholarship is an extension of the efforts taken under the Foundation’s Education pillar.
YSD has been offering scholarships to underprivileged students since 1982, with a total of RM248.4 million worth of scholarships and bursaries awarded to 3,208 deserving Malaysians and students from countries in which Sime Darby operates, to pursue higher education at selected local and international universities.
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| Yayasan Sime Darby Chief Executive Officer Hajjah Yatela Zainal Abidin (right) and Yayasan Sime Darby Governing Council Member Datin Paduka Zaitoon Dato’ Othman (second from right) launches the Sudirman Scholarship with The Actors Studio Co-Founders Joe Hasham (left) and Dato’ Faridah Merican (second from left). |
“The Sudirman scholarship is a double-pronged approach and we hope that this scholarship will act as a springboard for underprivileged students to realise their latent talent in singing in an effort to cultivate a promising career in vocal performance.
“Allahyarham Dato’ Sudirman himself came from a humble family but with support and encouragement, he rose to eminence with his exceptional voice. In addition to being a qualified lawyer, he poured his heart and soul into music passionately. We hope to mould students to aspire to become just like the icon,” she added.
Candidates who are eligible for the Sudirman scholarship are students aged 25 years old and below who hail from underprivileged families with a total monthly household income of RM3,000 and below.
Candidates will also be required to have a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.0 in either Sijil Tinggi Peperiksaan Malaysia (STPM), Pre-University programmes, Local Matriculation or Diploma studies.
The closing date for applications is 31 December 2016 and the results will be announced on 22 February 2017.