446 Students Honoured at MINDEF and Armed Forces Education Excellence Awards 2026
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 446 students were recognised for their outstanding academic achievements at the Education Excellence Awards 2026, organised by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
The annual event, organised by the Armed Forces Education Directorate in collaboration with the LTAT Foundation, celebrated students who achieved excellent results in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination and those who successfully secured places at higher education institutions.
Speaking at the ceremony, Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin congratulated the award recipients and their families for their dedication and hard work.
This year, 446 students achieved five A grades and above in the SPM examination, marking a significant increase from 383 students recorded in the previous year. In addition, 152 students were successfully admitted to Malaysian public universities, while seven students secured places at universities abroad.
The minister said the achievements reflected not only the determination of the students but also the unwavering support and sacrifices made by parents in ensuring their children’s academic success.
He stressed that education remains a key component of the overall well-being of Malaysian Armed Forces personnel and their families. As part of its commitment to maintaining a highly capable and prepared defence force, MINDEF views educational support for military families as an essential element of a holistic welfare ecosystem.
To strengthen educational opportunities, various intervention programmes have been implemented through the Yayasan LTAT, which serves as a key platform supporting the educational journey of military families from school through to employment.
The ministry has also expanded initiatives in science and technology education through collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). STEM-related programmes have been introduced to encourage greater interest among young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, fields considered critical to Malaysia’s future development and the ongoing technological transformation of the armed forces.
MINDEF expressed hope that the achievements celebrated at the awards ceremony would inspire more children of military personnel and civilian staff within the ministry to pursue academic excellence and contribute to the nation’s future through knowledge and innovation.