UCSI Radio
2005
25 JunUCSI RECOGNIZES ITS TOP ACHIEVERS
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, but it is not true for Tan Yien Yien and Lim Tiong How, two top achievers who joined four others to win the President’s Awards at the UCSI Awards Ceremony today.
Although actively involved in the Student Council, both Tan and Lim never neglected their studies. Instead, they achieved distinctions with over 85 per cent marks in all four subjects that they took last year.
Tan, who received the President’s Award for the third time since her pre-university days, said that the secret of her success lies with the attention she pays to her class lectures.
“It is important to understand what is being taught in class,” she said. “We have to be focused and take our studies seriously. My advice to the juniors is, `Don’t burn the midnight oil.’”
In her final year now pursuing a degree in Business Information System, Tan, who was formerly a student at KL Utama International School in Setapak said she hopes to graduate in January next year.
“I plan to get a job, and in about two years’ time, to pursue my Masters degree or perhaps, my ACCA,’ she said.
Kedah boy, Lim Tiong How, who is currently in Second Year Chemical Engineering, has a different story to tell. “I work very hard planning and following through my study schedule to make sure that I stay focused to complete my studies,” he said. “I am excited about winning the President’s Award this year.”
This year is Lim’s second time winning the President’s Award. “It motivates me to work harder,” he said. “I plan to keep the money when I continue my studies in University of Queensland in January next year.”
The eldest in his family of three siblings, Lim has also been faithfully serving the Student Council since May 2003. “Being involved in the co-curriculum activities has helped me to become a better person,” he said. “We must approach education in a holistic manner. While academic achievements are important, one must not neglect the co-curricular activities.”
A student of SMJK Sin Min in Sungai Patani, Lim attributed his success to his lecturers as well. “I believe they have taught us well,” he said.
Top scorer for the awards this year is Second Year music student, Leong Kah Yan, who won the President’s Award for January 2005 semester, as well as being elected as the Valedictorian for the Convocation in July 2005.
The only child in her family, Leong will be furthering her studies at Middlesex University in United Kingdom. “I want to experience music in a different culture and setting, besides learning to live independently away from home,” she said.
UCSI’s President and Vice Chancellor Peter Ng said a total of RM1.3 million was given away as scholarships and awards on Saturday morning.
Guest-of-Honour, Datuk Hj. Ruslin bin Hj. Hassan, Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, said he is pleased that UCSI students have begun to build a culture of excellence. “I trust that you will bring this with you when you enter into the workforce,” he said.
Comparing the public and private sectors these days, he said there is no longer any difference between being in the public service and in the private sector. “It is a fact today that excellence has become our way of life,” he added. “We will have to live with it, or we will be left behind.”
In the ceremony, Rizal Shahputra, who survived the tsunami, was also given the recognition for his bravery throughout the nine-day ordeal in the open sea. Rizal was offered a full scholarship to study English at UCSI, after which he hopes to do a course in English Language, also to be fully funded by UCSI.
“I never dreamt of studying here in a place like UCSI,” he said. “I wish to thank the Malaysian Government, and every Malaysian, especially my friends at UCSI, for the humanitarian assistance given to my people.”
