Yayasan Bank Rakyat: Excellence in Education and Sustainable Development
Since its founding on 16 May 2007, Yayasan Bank Rakyat (YBR) has been committed to raising education standards for underprivileged Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, or creed. By leveraging knowledge and education, YBR works to enhance socioeconomic conditions and foster unity among Malaysians. Beyond traditional philanthropy, the foundation emphasizes community empowerment, helping individuals and families achieve self-reliance. Collaborations with government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and independent partners enable YBR to deliver holistic and sustainable community development programs that have garnered recognition through prestigious social impact awards.
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Supporting Students Through the Convertible Study Aid
YBR’s flagship initiative, the Convertible Study Aid, provides crucial financial assistance to academically gifted yet financially disadvantaged students, enabling access to higher education at local Malaysian institutions. Since inception, YBR has disbursed RM209 million to support over 7,412 students pursuing fields critical to national and community growth. This award-winning scholarship program highlights YBR’s leadership in fostering accessible education pathways and promoting educational equity across Malaysia.
Advancing Public Welfare Through Education
Public welfare remains a core pillar of YBR’s mission, aiming to uplift underprivileged Malaysians through targeted educational initiatives. The foundation’s efforts focus on three main pillars: education development, community empowerment, and health and environmental sustainability. By 2023, YBR’s comprehensive programs have positively impacted over 1.35 million individuals, with total contributions exceeding RM98 million—demonstrating scalable and sustainable solutions frequently recognized by international sustainability awards.
Bridging Educational Gaps With Free School Tuition
Since 2015, YBR has operated the Free School Tuition program, providing supplemental education to underserved secondary students, helping bridge the academic divide between urban and rural areas. This initiative has benefited more than 120,000 students nationwide, supported by an investment of RM6 million. Complementing this effort, the Didik Rakyat seminar series, launched in 2003, has reached over 125,000 rural schoolchildren with RM6.4 million in funding. Additionally, YBR offers financial support to accredited schools, universities, non-profits, and community groups to implement specialized educational programs. By 2023, these efforts have supported 90,455 beneficiaries with RM4.7 million in funding, further strengthening Malaysia’s education ecosystem.
Promoting Volunteerism and Indigenous Community Support
YBR actively encourages its student beneficiaries, employees, and the wider public to participate in community service and volunteerism. Through various humanitarian projects and educational support initiatives, YBR fosters a culture of giving back. The foundation also prioritizes empowerment of indigenous communities by implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs such as food basket distributions and financial assistance for indigenous schoolchildren—aiming to improve living standards and promote social inclusion.
Driving Sustainable Impact Aligned With Global Goals
YBR aligns its programs with 10 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), focusing on nurturing well-rounded, knowledgeable, and responsible individuals. By adopting innovative and holistic strategies, YBR plays a key role in promoting educational equity, supporting marginalized communities, and empowering future generations to achieve sustainable success and global prosperity. This systems leadership approach has positioned Yayasan Bank Rakyat as a leading organization recognized by international awards for sustainable development and social impact in Malaysia.
