Employability of Sabah State Scholarship Excellence Award Recipients: A Comprehensive Study From 1990 to 2022

• Main Authors: Nesin Elizabeth Kinat, Nelson Lajuni, Dinisiah Liasan, Nurhikmah Zulaikha Hj. Abdul Kassim
• Format: Article
• Language: English; English
• Published: WordPress 2024
• Subjects: HD5701-6000.9 Labor market. Labor supply. Labor demand Including unemployment, manpower policy, occupational training, employment agencies; HV40-69 Social service. Social work. Charity organization and practice Including social case work, private and public relief, institutional care, rural social work, work relief
• Online Access: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38833/1/ABSTRACT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38833/2/FULL%20TEXT.pdf; https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/38833/
• Institution: Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Investing in human capital is crucial as a fundamental investment for innovation and developing productive, high-income economies. As such, Malaysia allocates a significant portion of its budget to advancing the education system. The Sabah Foundation, a Malaysian Government-Linked Company, contributes to this effort through the Sabah State Scholarship Award (ABCNS) initiated in 1990. Despite the scholarship program being initiated in 1990, there is a lack of data regarding the current employment status of these scholars. Hence, this study aims to collect information on the current status and employability rates of ABCNS scholars, both within the country and abroad. This study applied a quantitative method, using a questionnaire adapted from the 2009 Graduate Tracking System of the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education. Information from scholars was collected through online and postal survey distribution. SPSS Version 28 and Power BI were utilized to analyze the data. A total of 167 respondents, comprised of 61 male and 106 female ABCNS recipients, participated in this study. The study is crucial as it significantly benefits the Sabah Foundation and the state government in planning and enhancing the State Scholarship Excellence Award (ABCNS) in line with the Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) initiative. Anticipated outcomes will serve as an authoritative reference for Sabah Foundation's Education Development Division and relevant stakeholders in formulating a more efficient and holistic human capital development plan in the future.