Tan (left) with Dr Kay Mohlman, Director of NUS Asia Research Institute Academic Writing and Communication for the Asian Graduate Student Fellows
Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FAS) Language and Linguistic Department Lecturer Tan Swee Mee did UTAR proud when she was awarded the Asian Graduate Student Fellowships 2014.
Tan was among 25 graduate students from other Asian countries who were entitled to the one-and-a half month fellowship based in Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore (NUS) commencing 16 May until 31 August this year. It aims to enable scholars to make full use of the wide range of resources held in the libraries of NUS and also the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Still overwhelmed by her successful application for the Asian Graduate Student Fellowships (formerly known as ASEAN Research Scholars Programme), Tan said, “It is a precious opportunity as attending the conference and preparing for the forums have given me the opportunity to see and admire presentations of scholars from Harvard University, Hong Kong University and Yenching Harvard Institute. The Q&A sessions were overwhelming with very responsive audiences. It is a grand feast of academic interactions.” Tan who was told that her research title was one of the factors that intrigued the judges besides her past research experiences also enthused on the dynamic and very encouraging academic research ambience of the programme.
By securing a seat in the Fellowship programme, Tan who is currently working on her PhD project entitled “Thematic Choice in Selected Short Stories from Malaysian Women Writers: Woman Identity from a Systemic Functional Perspective” has the opportunity to have one to one coaching in crafting her thesis and academic presentation, as well as consultations from an assigned mentor.
Tan is also required to give a presentation on the synopsis and findings of her research on the topic “An Investigation of Women’s Identity in Malay Society from Two Selected Short Stores: A Systemic Functional Perspective” at the 9TH Singapore Graduate Forum on Southeast Asia Studies from 25 to 27 June 2014.
Commenting on how her involvement in the Fellowship programme benefits UTAR, Tan said “From the experiences and knowledge I gained through this Fellowship programme, I will share them with my colleagues and my students in UTAR,” She also encouraged UTAR staff and students to be progressive and to participate in programmes that can help to enhance their potential and widen their horizons.
From left to right: Tan with the Managing Director of NUS Press Dr Paul H. Kratoska and other participants in a group photo
About UTAR
Established in 2002 with 411 students, today, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) offers more than 110 programmes in fields including Accountancy, Actuarial Science, Agriculture, Arts, Business and Economics, Creative Industries and Design, Engineering and Built Environment, Information and Communication Technology, Life and Physical Sciences, Mathematics and Process Management, Medicine and Health Sciences, and Social Science and Education to over 23,000 students in its nine faculties, three institutes and three centres located in three Klang Valley campuses in Bandar Sungai Long, Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya and the main campus in Kampar, which was awarded the Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (Malaysian Institute of Architects) gold award in the education category in 2013. The employability of its 33,000 over graduates exceeds 97 percent within six months after graduation.
For more information, go to www.utar.edu.my
