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5 students from Curtin Sarawak awarded the Western Australian Premier Scholarship
PR/08 - 11
Monday, 11 February 2008 - Five final year students, Tan Kim Yong,
Belinda Yeo Pei Yee, Bay Yeo Yang Sheng, Alexander Bong Ng Heng Zu and
Roger Chai Koh Yek of Curtin University of Technology Sarawak have departed
to Perth to finish their final year of study at the Curtin University
Bentley Campus under the Western Australian (WA) Premier Scholarship that
was awarded to them recently.
To demonstrate the Government's commitment to building a stronger relationship
with the Malaysian Government, the WA Premier Scholarship aims to give some
of the best and brightest student from Curtin Sarawak the opportunity to gain
a different perspective on their field of study and to experience life in a
different country.
[From left to right] Roger Chai & Bay Yeo
celebrating Chinese New Year with friends and family before
leaving for Perth. |
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The WA Government will provide AUD$5,000 for each scholarship towards
airfares, visas, health insurance and accommodation and Curtin will pay
for tuition fees for the one year of study.
"I'm really excited that I get to see the main campus in person after
hearing so much about it," exclaimed Bay Yeo Yang Sheng, final year
student in the Civil and Construction Engineering degree.
Bay Yeo was the Student Council President at Curtin Sarawak in 2006 and
has contributed a great deal for the students including setting up a
common room on the Sarawak campus.
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"When I was with the Student Council, one of our targets was to create
the link especially with the Student Guild in Bentley so that we can share
ideas and see how we can further improve our student welfare. With this
opportunity to study in Bentley, I'll be able to liaise directly with the
Curtin Student Guild and create a vital link with the Student Council
in Miri."
"Seeing programs like Megastructures and other construction programs in the
Discovery Channel inspired me to be part of a construction team in building
prominent landmarks that are recognised all over the world, such as the
Twin Towers. I plan to return to Miri when I graduate to contribute to the
development of Miri and possibly pursue my postgraduate studies in Civil
and Construction Engineering in Curtin Sarawak," he added further.
While Bay is interested in the megastructures, Roger Chai likes things that
cannot be seen with the naked eye.
"Living things especially microscopic living things like the deepwater insects
and marine life intrigue me more which eventually led me to pursue my degree
in Chemical Engineering," said Roger Chai.
"Although the oil and gas industry is booming and the career opportunities in
this industry is increasing, being a graduate from Chemical Engineering will
also open up opportunities for me to venture into other industries such as in
palm oil, food processing, water treatment and other natural resources
processes," he said.
"With this degree, it will give me options of working in different countries.
One day I would like to return to my own hometown to work and contribute to my
own country,"
Roger has always been a very active student in Curtin Sarawak was the
President of Curtin Volunteers (CV!) in 2007. Curtin Volunteers is a
non-for-profit organisation that gives Curtin students, staff and the general
community an opportunity to be involved in various community projects. One of
the biggest community event conducted by CV! is the John Curtin Weekend
where the annual project is run concurrently across the world reaching out
to those who are in need of help.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with the Curtin Volunteers
in the Bentley campus and see the different community projects run by them.
I can share my experiences with the new Committee of Curtin Volunteers in
Curtin Sarawak," he added.
"It will be very interesting to see how I can juggle between my studies,
extra-curricular activities and adapting to living in Perth. I am committed to
gaining the most out of this once in a lifetime experience," he added. Roger also
plans to stay longer in Perth after his degree to pursue his postgraduate studies.
"We are all grateful to the WA government and Curtin for giving us this
opportunity and an experience that we know we will never forget,"
expressed Bay and Roger.
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For further information, please contact:
Ms Renee Foong,
Public Relations Assistant,
Corporate Communications Unit,
Curtin Sarawak Malaysia
T: + 60 85 443939
D: + 60 85 443806
F: + 60 85 443838
E: renee.f@curtin.edu.my or corpcomm@curtin.edu.my |
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