MERCU Learning Point, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of Muslim Professionals, together with two Singaporean donors, have come together to contribute $600,000 to establish the MERCU-SMU Excellence Scholarship for full-time Malay Singaporean undergraduates in their second to fourth year at SMU. Guest-of-Honour Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information and Minister-In-Charge of Muslim Affairs, together with SMU President Professor Arnoud De Meyer, presented the scholarships to three recipients at SMU yesterday. At the event, Dr Yaacob noted that the scholarship allows Malay students to focus on their studies without having to worry about their finances, on top of urging others to come forward and to consider giving what they have, not just to students in SMU but also to those from other institutions. Prof De Meyer also highlighted that the scholarship will help ensure no deserving Malay student misses out on studying at the university because of financial need, adding that he has no doubt that it will help SMU attract more talented Malay youth. With the Government matching it dollar for dollar, the total sum of $1.2 million will fund three $12,000 scholarships each year.