University of Malaya
Upon recognition given by the Malaysian Government as one
of the four Research Universities in Malaysia, University of
Malaya has initiated efforts to enhance research activities
within the University.

One of the main efforts involves the establishment of a
sustainable pool of excellent academicians and researchers
servicing the university and the nation.

On 9 September 2009 the Bright Sparks Unit was established
with the task of recruiting outstanding students and scholars
with deep interest in research and academic work to join the
university’s academic workforce.

An incentive program offered to bright, enthusiastic and
highly motivated candidates to work and further their career in
UM.

Open to qualified candidates who fulfill the established
criteria irrespective of whether the candidate is a student/
graduate of UM or other universities (except for Bachelor level
– undergraduates must be UM students)

Bright Spark Program is an incentive and a scholarship
program.

Undergraduates in UM will only be given financial and
academic incentives

BSP candidates at Masters and PhD level will be offered a
scholarship (which includes the financial and academic
incentives) to study in UM or at Universities in 6 countries –
Singapore, India, China, Korea, Japan and New Zealand.

Post Doctoral BSP candidates will obtain financial and
various academic incentives on top of the post-doc salary.


Must not exceed 35 years at the time of application.
Undergraduates:
a.
Candidates who are currently pursuing a Bachelor degree (Years 1 to 4 in
UM)
b.
Achieved a minimum CGPA of 3.7, First Class or Distinction level for at least
two consecutive semesters
Masters:
a.
b.
c.
For those who are currently pursuing Masters, they must have published at
least two (2) research articles in Thomson Reuters (ISI) journals or at least
four (4) research articles in other international refereed journals
For certain faculties, BSP scholarships are also offered to fresh
undergraduates.
For these undergraduates, they must have achieved a minimum CGPA of
3.5 for UM graduates, others CGPA 3.7, First Class or Distinction level
….cont/
….cont/
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD):
a.
b.
c.
d.
Candidates who are currently pursuing a Phd (in UM)
Candidates who have recently completed their Masters degree
For those entering via Masters or are currently pursuing PhD, they must
have published at least three (3) research articles in Thomson Reuters (ISI)
journals or at least six (6) research articles in international refereed
journals
Fresh undergraduates (UM graduates CGPA 3.5, others CGPA 3.7 or First
Class) may be considered under fast track PhD
Post PhD:
a.
b.
c.
Post PhD candidates (internal or external) who have been identified as
accomplished researchers with at least five (5) years research experience
in advanced research areas.
Candidates who have recently completed their Phd.
Candidates must have published at least six (6) research articles in
Thomson Reuters (ISI) journals
Candidates are given incentives throughout the
tenure such as:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
Attractive monthly allowance/incentive
Study scholarship / tuition fees waiver
Longer loan period of books from the University library
Priority in research grant application from the University
Priority in financial aid for participation in international and
national conferences
Will be given preference in the involvement of academic
programs such as student exchange programs and others
….cont/
….cont/
Candidates are also required to fulfill the KPIs set for
each category of candidature. For example, candidates
are required to publish an agreed number of ISI indexed
publications within a given time.

Each candidate will be assessed every 6 months to
ensure their performance and achievement meet the KPIs
set.

Decision whether the candidate shall remain in the BSP
depends on the review process.

200
191
180
157
160
140
120
106
100
Applications
82
80
Successful Applications
80
58
60
40
20
0
29 29
21
21
12
11
4
4
6
27
4
Candidature Activated
63
60
27
13 1110
6
2
31 1
23
15
6
31
29
21
9
20
5
6 5
16
1
5
16
53
63 3
15
107
25
26
161
Bachelor
Masters
PhD
601
Post PhD
28
13
Sep-11
Aug-11
Jul-11
19 23 24 34 39
Jun-11
May-11
Apr-11
Mar-11
Feb-11
34
Jan-11
33
Dec-10
Nov-10
39
Oct-10
43
Sep-10
100
Aug-10
16 23
Jul-10
Jun-10
27
May-10
13
Apr-10
0
Mar-10
31
Feb-10
41
Jan-10
50
Nov-09
Dec-09
No. of Applicants
150
111
100
47
46
No. of Applicants
32
5 No. of Applicants
For further information on the qualification criteria and other
issues concerning the program, please visit our website
(http://www.um.edu.my/brightsparks) or contact us at:
The Bright Sparks Unit
Level 3, Chancellory
University of Malaya
50603 Kuala Kumpur
Malaysia
Telephone no: +603 7967 4524/6999
Fax no: +603 7967 6268
Email: BrightSparks@um.edu.my or
brightsparksum@gmail.com