Pandelela receives RM10, 000 special incentive

PUTRAJAYA, (Bernama) - National diver Pandelela Rinong today received an offer letter from Universiti Malaya and a special incentive of RM10,000 from the Higher Education Ministry for her success in winning a bronze medal at the London Olympic Games. The offer letter and incentive were presented by Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at a ceremony to celebrate the achievements of athletes of Higher Education Institutions (IPTs) at Menara KPT here today. "The incentive is aimed at motivating athletes at IPTs to strive for greater successes," he told reporters after the presentation ceremony. Commenting on Pandelela's decision to further her studies locally despite getting an offer from a foreign university, Mohamad Khaled said it was a wise decision as local universities had gained recognition especially with UM being ranked 156 in the QS World University Rankings 2012/2013 recently. Pandelela when met by reporters after the ceremony said she was very happy to receive the surprise gifts. "I wish to thank the Minister and UM for giving me the incentive and offer letter. "I am confident the incentive will spur me to record greater achievements as well as studies," said the 19-year-old Sarawakian. She will start her Sports Science degree course in UM early next year and is confident of balancing her studies and her involvement in diving. At the ceremony, Mohamed Khaled also presented the ministry's excellent performance incentives to three IPTA students who won a silver medal in the women's team compound event at the World University Archery Championship held in Cordoba, Spain from July 4-7. They were Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh and Norhayati Al-Madihah Hashim, both from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) as well as Fatin Nadira Hassan from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), who received RM3,000 each. PUTRAJAYA, (Bernama) - National diver Pandelela Rinong today received an offer letter from Universiti Malaya and a special incentive of RM10,000 from the Higher Education Ministry for her success in winning a bronze medal at the London Olympic Games. The offer letter and incentive were presented by Higher Education Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin at a ceremony to celebrate the achievements of athletes of Higher Education Institutions (IPTs) at Menara KPT here today. "The incentive is aimed at motivating athletes at IPTs to strive for greater successes," he told reporters after the presentation ceremony. Commenting on Pandelela's decision to further her studies locally despite getting an offer from a foreign university, Mohamad Khaled said it was a wise decision as local universities had gained recognition especially with UM being ranked 156 in the QS World University Rankings 2012/2013 recently. Pandelela when met by reporters after the ceremony said she was very happy to receive the surprise gifts. "I wish to thank the Minister and UM for giving me the incentive and offer letter. "I am confident the incentive will spur me to record greater achievements as well as studies," said the 19-year-old Sarawakian. She will start her Sports Science degree course in UM early next year and is confident of balancing her studies and her involvement in diving. At the ceremony, Mohamed Khaled also presented the ministry's excellent performance incentives to three IPTA students who won a silver medal in the women's team compound event at the World University Archery Championship held in Cordoba, Spain from July 4-7. They were Fatin Nurfatehah Mat Salleh and Norhayati Al-Madihah Hashim, both from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) as well as Fatin Nadira Hassan from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), who received RM3,000 each.