Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship (Malay: Biasiswa Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Biasiswa Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (BYDPA)), also known as King's Scholarship, is a scholarship offered by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in Malaysia. This scholarship is considered by many to be the most prestigious and best scholarship in Malaysia. This scholarship aims to sponsor Malaysian citizens who excel in academic and non-academic fields to continue their studies at the Advanced Degree level (Master's or Doctorate) in domestic and foreign universities on a full-time basis.
The main objective of this program is to give recognition to Malaysians who excel in terms of academics and personality to continue their studies in fields that will benefit the country. BYDPA is a prestigious scholarship program compared to other sponsorship programs with advantages in terms of scholarship rates offered, eligibility requirements and placement in the world's leading universities. BYDPA recipients are also not bound to serve the Government but are required to serve in Malaysia in any sector after completing their studies.[1]
Malaysian Public Service Department (JPA) since 2000 has implemented a new program known as Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarship (Malay: Biasiswa Yang di-Pertuan Agong) in accordance with the decision of the Honorable Prime Minister on 3 November 2004 and received the approval of the Council of Rulers Meeting on 16 March 2005.
This scholarship was introduced to give recognition to the extraordinary abilities of a candidate to continue his studies at the post-degree level (Master's and PhD) especially in the field of Science and Technology within and outside the state.
The first selection of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Scholarships was made on 29 September 2006, namely five (5) Masters candidates and five (5) PhD candidates. The scholarship presentation ceremony was completed by His Majesty the King at the Istana Negara. The recipient of this scholarship was also introduced to all Their Majesties the Kings, His Excellencies the Governor-General and the Prime Minister in a special ceremony before the Dinner Ceremony to honor the Meeting of the Council of Kings in the National Palace.[2]
On 17 July 2024, Director-General of Public Services, Datuk Seri Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz said the prestigious scholarship which was first introduced in 2006 successfully sponsored high-performing candidates in academics and non-academics (co-curriculum). So far, a total of 19 offering sessions have been carried out with 212 Malaysian citizens receiving BYDPA sponsorship, namely 107 people at the Doctorate (PhD) level and 105 at the Master's level.[3]
An applicant must be a Malaysian citizen and not over 35 years of age on 1 January of the year of the offer.
An applicant must have excellent academic results, namely; candidates Bachelor's degree must have a bachelor's degree recognized by the Government with a minimum CGPA of 3.75 or first class or its equivalent; or Doctorate candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree and a master's degree recognized by the Government with a minimum CGPA of 3.75 or first class or its equivalent. An applicant has received an unconditional offer or has started full-time studies in the year of offer at a higher education institution listed by JPA according to field of study.[4]
Studies for the Master's level are in research mode only which requires the preparation of a research paper or dissertation or thesis. Applicants also need to be involved in the production of works that contain creative and innovative elements such as writing, artistic design or technology and so on i.e.; the active involvement of Master's candidates is an advantage or the involvement of Doctoral candidates is mandatory.[5]
Fields of study eligible to apply are Science and Technology, Economy, Law and Islamic Finance.[6]
Public higher education institutions in Malaysia that are eligible to apply include University of Malaya (UM), University of Science Malaysia (USM), National University Malaysia (UKM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and University of Technology Malaysia (UTM).[7]