NOTHING is comparable to the dedication and passion of lecturers when it comes to producing top-scoring students.
The success and triumph of students come with no small amount of sacrifice and effort both on the part of the students as well as the lecturers behind them.
Apart from knowledge, the support, motivation and encouragement given by their lecturers play a major part in students’ achievements.
To underscore the important role their lecturers played in their success, Taylor’s College A-Level award recipients reveal how their teachers inspired them in academics and beyond.
Chia Geng (left), one of 17 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award recipients from Taylor's College with his twin brother Chia Chen, who was Taylor's College student council vice president 2018/2019.
Top in Malaysia for Chemistry award recipient Ch’ng Chia Geng never used to think beyond the present. This has changed – he’s aiming for a life of significance, largely thanks to Taylor’s College’s educators.
“My lecturers challenge me to reach greater heights,” he reveals. “Thanks to Taylor’s College, my attitude has changed in a short period of time, which led me to dream of bigger goals in life.”
Grateful for the help he has been given, he now produces scores of YouTube tutorials explaining concepts in Physics, Chemistry and Biology to, in turn, help other students.
“I hope to create a complete set of tutorials for all secondary school students who wish to conduct self-learning at home,” he says.
Ch’ng is one of 17 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award recipients from Taylor’s College who scored the highest in the world and in Malaysia for certain A-Level subjects.
However, he’s not the only one who gives credit to the academics who went out of their way for their students.
Shabita Nandy describes her lecturers as approachable and dedicated.
Shabita Nandy, Top in the World award recipient in Mathematics, credits her lecturers for her award achievement, describing them as approachable and dedicated.
“My lecturers are also incredibly well-versed in their subjects, and were excellent at helping us understand concepts and clarifying our doubts,” she says.
Recognising that she was fortunate to be taught by inspiring educators, Shabita pays it forward through volunteering at a refugee centre.
“I feel very lucky to have a stable life and so many opportunities for success, so I believe in giving back to those who are less fortunate than I am,” she adds.
Chun Hoong is a Top in the World achiever for Business.
A Top in the World achiever for Business, Koh Chun Hoong is thankful to his business lecturer, Sujata Nair for laying a strong foundation for him.
“She played a big part in my achievement. From early on, she was correcting minor mistakes in my work and built a strong foundation for me to absorb and grasp the subject as a whole.”
He has since received offers from University College London, University of Warwick and King’s College London, to name a few.
Sarah also achieved Top in the World for Business.
Koh’s course mate Sarah Koh Geok Shan who also achieved Top in the World for Business echoes his sentiment.
“Not only is she a wonderful teacher, but she is someone who genuinely cares about her students’ well-being.”
Sarah discovered the joys of teaching as she volunteers at a refugee education centre.
Sarah herself has discovered the joys of teaching as she too volunteers at a refugee education centre, teaching Mathematics and English as she bides her time to continue her studies at New York University.
“The refugee kids there are really responsive learners, so it’s been a wonderful experience teaching them,” she says.
Taylor’s College campus director Josephine Tan believes the students’ achievements are a testament of the passion and dedication of the academics.
“Our educators are the backbone of our college’s success for over 50 years – 90% of our lecturers have been with us for more than 5 years, of which 67% have been with us for more than a decade. The students are our pride and joy,” she says.
