Tribute to scholars: (from left) Prof Ewe, Ouyang, Song and Sak posing by the bronze sculptures at the varsity.
WHEN Kelly Lim received news that she had won the China Ambassador Scholarship, she felt a deep sense of gratitude.
“The scholarship will not only help subsidise my daily expenses, but also my Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) examination fees,” said the Bachelor of Accounting (Hons) student at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR).
“It can effectively relieve me of my financial pressure and allow me to focus on my studies,” she went on to say in a press release, adding that the scholarship is not purely a monetary reward, but also a recognition of her academic endeavour.
Buoyed by the scholarship award which, she said, has boosted her confidence, Lim – who is among 55 recipients of the scholarship – is looking to set higher goals for herself.
Presented by the Embassy of China in Malaysia, the China Ambassador Scholarship has benefited 259 UTAR students, amounting to RM750,615, since its inception in 2016.
This year, a total of RM195,860 was disbursed by the embassy in recognition of the efforts and achievements of the UTAR foundation and undergraduate students in their studies.
Echoing Lim’s sentiments, final year student Raja Nurdeanna Shah Raja Rezman Shah said the scholarship would allow her to concentrate more on her studies, besides lightening her financial burden.
“I can now pursue my goals and make UTAR proud of my achievements. Thank you for believing in my aspirations,” said the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Graphic Design and Multimedia student.
Fellow scholarship recipient A. Shadish Bhandari, too, is appreciative of the financial assistance, especially in view of what he called the current “challenging times for students”.
“Moving forward, we will carry the spirit of cooperation between China and Malaysia in our hearts and work to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries,” said the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Environmental Engineering student.
At the China Ambassador Scholarship award presentation ceremony held at the UTAR Kampar campus on Feb 17, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing expressed his hope that the scholarship recipients would study hard, make great achievements in their careers, and add to the centuries-long China-Malaysia friendship.
“More efforts have been made to enhance closer interactions and exchanges between young people of both countries.
“We will do our best to help young people enhance mutual understanding, develop a global perspective, aspire for creativity and innovation, and be committed to contributing wisdom and strength to the development of both their motherlands and mankind. This is also the main purpose for the Chinese Embassy to establish the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship,” he said.
He added that UTAR had played a key role in promoting Chinese culture and Chinese language education, in addition to strengthening educational cooperation and exchanges between China and Malaysia, and enhancing cross-cultural learning between youths of both countries.
In his speech, UTAR president Prof Datuk Dr Ewe Hong Tat recorded his gratitude for the support of the embassy in providing the scholarship to the varsity’s students.
Advising the recipients to strive for the best in their tertiary studies, he said education would open doors to many more opportunities.
“I hope you will have more motivation to perform better, continue to be diligent and hardworking in your studies, and also contribute to society and the nation in the future,” he said.
“With the Covid-19 situation becoming better, I would like to encourage all students who are here today to join our student exchange programmes or study tours to China to broaden your horizons. At the same time, we also welcome China students to UTAR,” he added.
Also present at the ceremony were the ambassador’s wife Song Xiaomei, consul-general of China in Penang Zhou Youbin, UTAR Education Foundation board of trustees chairman Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum, UTAR council member Tan Sri Ong Ka Chuan, and UTAR Hospital Board chairman and UTAR council member Emeritus Prof Tan Sri Dr Chuah Hean Teik, among other distinguished guests.
Besides attending the ceremony, the Chinese delegation also visited the campus, including Dewan Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik and the bronze sculptures of Confucius and Einstein in front of the varsity’s Heritage Hall Building, as well as UTAR T&CM (Traditional and Complementary Medicine) Centre at UTAR Hospital.
