Gamuda boosts scholarship fund to US$9m for 206 scholars
What happened
Gamuda Bhd raised its scholarship allocation to US$9 million (RM39 million) to support 206 scholars, up from US$7 million (RM31 million) in 2025. The scholars were selected from 4,096 applicants, representing the top 5% of applicants.
The announcement came as the group celebrated 50 years of engineering and nation-building, alongside 30 years of the Gamuda Scholarship under Yayasan Gamuda. Nearly 80% of this year's scholars come from B40 and M40 households, while 15% are from East Malaysia and indigenous communities.
Why it matters
Lin Yun Ling, group managing director of Gamuda, said talent is the single most critical asset for both nation-building and business expansion. The scholarship focuses on widening access to quality higher education, ensuring top global and local exposure for young leaders regardless of financial background.
The programme has become a long-term talent pipeline. Half of the Group's top 30 business leaders today began their careers as Gamuda scholars. High-potential alumni have progressed into directorships and executive leadership roles in their late 20s and early 30s.
Impact on Malaysia
Gamuda operates across nine international markets. Returning scholars are expected to contribute across engineering, infrastructure, property development, and digital technology. The group aims to equip future leaders to manage both human and technological capabilities as it addresses increasingly complex challenges across the region.
The scholarship supports fully funded overseas studies. 23 scholars attend institutions including Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Sydney, University of Melbourne, University of Hong Kong, National University of Singapore, and Nanyang Technological University.
Future direction
As AI reshapes engineering and operational workflows, Gamuda said its scholarship programme will continue to focus on developing leaders with strategic judgement, critical thinking, and technical expertise. The goal is to apply emerging technologies effectively in the group's operations.
By combining global exposure with operational experience, the group aims to strengthen its leadership framework as scholars transition into their teams. Fresh ideas and varied perspectives directly contribute to the group's growth.
Regional expansion
Gamuda's expanding regional footprint increases demand for engineering, technology, and leadership talent. The scholarship programme supports the group's next chapter after five decades of growth.
The group's directors and senior management team, along with 206 scholarship recipients, attended the announcement event. The scholarship reflects Gamuda's focus on bringing diverse perspectives and technical capabilities into the organisation.
Key facts
Gamuda's scholarship allocation rose by US$2 million year-on-year, from US$7 million to US$9 million. The number of scholars increased from previous years, with 206 recipients this year.
The group highlighted that the scholarship programme has been running for 30 years under Yayasan Gamuda. Gamuda marks 50 years of engineering and nation-building in 2025.