The Western Australia Premier’s scholars (L-R): Ivy Chai Fui Ling, Yong Ai Ping, Anders Cheng and Brenda Fang.
Miri – 21 March 2012 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) students Ivy Chai Fui Ling, Yong Ai Ping, Anders Cheng and Brenda Fang – the most recent recipients of the Western Australia Premier’s Scholarship – recently left for Curtin’s main campus in Perth eager to immerse themselves in a new learning environment there.
The scholarship granted yearly to four to five of Curtin Sarawak’s best and brightest entitles them to complete their final graduate year at the Curtin Bentley campus under the sponsorship of the Western Australia Government. It also provides them the opportunity to gain different perspectives on their respective fields of study and experience a completely different lifestyle and culture.
The Western Australia Premier’s Scholarship scholars need not worry about the cost factor of studying in Perth as the Western Australian Government provides A$5,000 for each scholarship covering return airfares, visas, health insurance and on-campus accommodation while Curtin provides a full fee waiver for the one year of study.
Curtin University is Western Australia’s largest and most multi-cultural university with a strong commitment to international engagement with Australia’s third largest international student population. The Curtin Bentley campus is conveniently located close to the city of Perth, shopping centres and popular attractions, giving the students from Sarawak opportunities to relax and enjoy the Perth lifestyle.
In an interview prior to their departure, Chai credited her lecturers for her success, saying she was able to gain valuable knowledge and skills from them. She looks forward to studying at Curtin Bentley and continuing her Bachelor of Commerce in accounting and finance there.
For fellow accounting and finance student Yong, the scholarship is a dream-come-true. She said she has always envisaged studying at the main campus and is thrilled at the opportunity to experience a different academic environment and also graduating there.
“I can’t wait to graduate and seek out the many career opportunities out there, especially in corporate finance and auditing. My double major, which is recognised by CPA Australia and qualifies me for entry to the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia graduate programme, will give me a distinct advantage,” she remarked.
Geology student Cheng accredited his success to the holistic learning approach at Curtin Sarawak. It has taught him the virtues of learning beyond the classroom and he expects the learning environment at Curtin Bentley to be much the same. He is also excited about experiencing the great outdoors in Western Australia.
“When I graduate, I will probably come back to Malaysia to work because there are abundant career opportunities here. However, if I were given the chance to further my studies, I would seize it immediately,” he exclaimed.
Cheng’s course-mate Fang is proud of her academic and extracurricular achievements that led her to securing the scholarship. She made it onto the Vice-Chancellor’s List, an award reserved for the top one percent of undergraduates each semester, in her first semester at Curtin Sarawak. She was also a recipient of the Datuk Dr. Lee Kim Shin Outstanding Community Contribution Award in 2011.
An avid traveller and a self-confessed adventure seeker, she said being a geologist is not simply about memorising names of rocks and fossils; it requires passion, imagination and a great understanding of nature.
Fang also commended her lecturers for imparting valuable knowledge and skills. She said that of the many skills she gained in her three years at Curtin Sarawak, she valued her interpersonal skills the most. It has helped her befriend students from a number of countries and learn about their diverse and unique backgrounds.
“Studying geology at Curtin Bentley will benefit me greatly. Geology here is geared towards the oil and gas industry, while in Australia, it focuses on mining. Exposure to a different aspect of geology will certainly broaden my career prospects,” remarked Fang.
She hopes to start her career with Petronas, sponsor of her first three years at Curtin Sarawak. However, if the opportunity arises, she would also like to pursue her Masters in the United States.
Information on scholarships and study loans for study at Curtin Sarawak can be obtained by contacting Loans and Scholarships Officer Lilyian Simon Ajang at 085-443861 or by e-mail to [email protected].
