KUCHING – More than 180 students were recently awarded more than RM1.6 million in scholarships by Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus.
Six students and two of the university’s recent graduates were also awarded for the best in their discipline by Sarawak Information Systems Sdn Bhd (SAINS), Ernst & Young, and Shell Malaysia Sdn Bhd.
In presenting the scholarship awards, Swinburne Sarawak Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Professor Janet Gregory urged the recipients to continue to set the high standard.
“One of the many things we are proud of is our graduate employability. You will pleased to know that based on our statistics over the last few years, more than 90 per cent of our graduates have found employment within six months of graduating,” she said.
Gregory said that while earning a degree and obtaining a good job may be the primary goal of every university student, it should not be their only focus.
“Enjoy your university experience, too. Join a club or take part in activities that interest you,” she said, adding that it is through these activities that students develop inter-personal, organisational and leadership skills which are important aspects of their development.
“These are also attributes employers look for.”
Many of the university’s students have excelled in their extra-curricular activities, Gregory said, and cited examples which included recently winning the higher education institution category at the Sarawak Regatta for the second year, and taking second place in the global finals of the Freescale Cup intelligent car championship in Germany in September.
Swinburne Sarawak students, who had emerged as champions in the games category at the Malaysian and regional levels of the Imagine Cup, went on to compete at the world finals in Seattle, USA, this year.
The scholarship recipients included eight research students who are pursuing masters and doctoral degrees.
SAINS Chief Executive Officer Dato Teo Tien Hiong presented best student awards to computer science undergraduate students Loo Cheah Hong and Bryan Phui Chun Chiang, and ICT undergraduate students Moiz Ullah and Lim Sze San.
Ernst & Young’s awards were presented by its director Teo Khang Min. The recipients were bachelor of accounting students Ong Shien Sing and Wenny Wong.
Adeline Liaw Sing May and Lee Siaw Hong, who in October graduated with a degree in human resource management and finance, respectively, received the Shell Malaysia Sdn Bhd best graduate awards.