Four Malaysian students who receive scholarships to study in three prestigious United States military academy are determined not to waste the opportunity to acquire knowledge and experience.

The three trainees of Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) and one from the Royal Military College (RMC) will pursue degrees for four years with each receiving a scholarship worth about RM212,000 (USD50,000) per annum.

Wan Kamal Fitri,19, of UPNM , who was offered a place in the military academy at West Point, New York, said he was excited with the opportunity to operate high-tech military equipment as it can be useful to the Malaysian military.

"I am thrilled to pursue studies in US because of the sophisticated facilities. I am also keen on their military training which is different from that in Malaysia," he told reporters after receiving an offer letter at a ceremony at the US Embassy, here today.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Yusuf, 18, of RMC, who will study in the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland said he was grateful for the opportunity given and pledged to strive and to succeed in the US.

"I want to learn all that I can from the US navy and will bring back the knowledge to Malaysia," said the recipient of the Minister of Defence Award while studying at the RMC.

Muhammad Salihin, 19, of UPNM said the opportunity to study in the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado, is his opportunity to realise his ambition of becoming a pilot.

"Being a pilot is my ambition since I was eight years old. I hope that one day I will be a leader in the military and can contribute to the country," he added.

Another scholarship recipient, Sayniish Pilay Muniandy,19, of UPNM will pursue studies at the US Military Academy.

Meanwhile, US Deputy Ambassador in Malaysia, Edgard Kagan said 23 Malaysians had graduated from the US military academy since 1991.

The scholarships allow Malaysian students to acquire military knowledge and also enhance bilateral ties between Malaysia and the US.

--BERNAMA