UP2-Sept2016

CONTENTS

03 Saying No to Procrastination Wins the Day The Sunway Education Group

MOVERS & SHAKERS Sunway College
04 Generating the Big Idea @ VU Business Challenge 2016
07 Tracking Through Discovery Day @ MUFY No. 2, Jalan Universiti
12 187 Teams Compete at the Sunway College A-Level Maths Bandar Sunway
47500 Selangor Darul Ehsan
and Logic Challenge 2016 Malaysia
14 Building a Pool of Talent for Accountancy in Malaysia T: 603-5638 7176
17 More than Just Achievements Celebrated at E: [email protected]
sunway.edu.my/college
50th Commencement Ceremony
Sunway University
10 Joy and Laughter for 150 Upon Graduation T: 603-7491 8622
E: [email protected]
FACE TO FACE sunway.edu.my/university
05 Giving 100% Effort and Dedication
06 From Crunching Numbers to Making People Laugh Monash University Malaysia
08 Choosing a Colourful University Life T: 603-5514 6000
09 Future Game Designer E: [email protected]
13 Creating a Better Life monash.edu.my
15 Swimming Towards Success
16 Having a Cuppa.... Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine
18 Headed to Ireland and Health Sciences
19 Highlight of the Year T: 603-5514 6000
E: [email protected]
Photos in UP2 are also courtesy of students and staff from the respective departments and programmes med.monash.edu.my

UP2 or UPP or Uniquely Purposeful Programmes is a quarterly publication that represents a Sunway International School
progressive Sunway College. Owned and governed by the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation, this T: 603-7491 8070
leading private institution of higher learning is forging ahead towards the next level E: [email protected]
of excellence. sis.sunway.edu.my

Advisor : Dr Elizabeth Lee UP2 is published by Sunway College Sunway College Johor Bahru
T: 607-359 6880
Editorial & : Jerrine Koay Should you have any comments, E: [email protected]
kindly contact: sunway.edu.my/jb
Photography Team Katherine Kee
The Public Relations Department Sunway College Ipoh
Tan May Ling Sunway Education Group T: 605-545 4398
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Concept & Design : Writers Ink E: [email protected] sunway.edu.my/ipoh
www.sunway.edu.my/college
Printer : Gloverin Sunway College Kuching
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19-05, The Pinnacle, Block B, 19th E: [email protected]
Floor, Jalan Lagoon Timur, 47500 swck.edu.my
Bandar Sunway, Selangor
Sunway-TES
Centre for Accountancy Excellence

T: 603-7491 8622
E: [email protected]
sunway.edu.my/college/sunwaytes

Sunway International Business
& Management

T: 603-7493 7023
E: [email protected]
sibm.com.my

Shanghai Sunway Financial Training Co. Ltd.

T: 603-7491 8622
E: [email protected]
sunway.edu.my/college/ssft

Sunway Le Cordon Bleu Institute of
Culinary Arts

T: 603-5632 1188
E: [email protected]
lecordonbleu.com.my

Jeffrey Cheah Institute on Southeast Asia
T: 603-7491 8622
E: [email protected]
jci.edu.my

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed
or implied in UP2 are those of the authors or

contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of

the Sunway Education Group.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

SAYING NO TO PROCRASTINATION
WINS THE DAY

16-year old Sri Yamuna Permaloo from SMK
Methodist Girls’ School Ipoh charmed the
judges of the recent Oxford and Cambridge
Society Malaysia English Language Public
Speaking Competition 2016 with her
eloquence and delivery of the topic, ‘Identity
is Never Static’.

Utilising her own personal experience with
procrastinating in her studies as an example,
Sri Yamuna highlighted the fact “All of us
are masters of change” for identity is never
static and can be changed. Her winning
delivery won her a full bursary for Sunway
College; RM600 cash prize and a Certificate
of commendation from the Oxford and
Cambridge Society of Malaysia. Her school,
SMK Methodist Girls’ School Ipoh took home
the Challenge Trophy.

Sri Yamuna, her father Permaloo Arunasalam with Dr Elizabeth Lee (far left) The judges for the event were Dr Abhi
and Mark Disney (far right) Veerakumarasivam, Sharifah Bakar Ali and

Steven Fung of the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia. Speakers for the day included Dr Ian Halsall, Emma

Davidson and Patrick Helson, also from the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia. Attendees came from twenty-

nine secondary schools around the Klang Valley, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Ipoh and Malacca, with one thousand

fourth and fifth formers, accompanied by their teachers.

Present to witness the level of oratory skills and confidence of delivery displayed at the competition were Margaret Hall,
Chairperson, Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia English Language Event and Mark Disney, President, Oxford
and Cambridge Society of Malaysia. Impressed with the fine display of oratory skills at the competition, Dr Elizabeth Lee,
Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group and Sunway University had this to say, “Today, some of you have
demonstrated the ability to relate to the audience and deliver messages that struck a chord or two. You have clearly
demonstrated the thought process behind words that interpret, analyse and evaluate a message to greatly impact the
audience and the judges.”

The first runner-up, Chantal Vaune Augustin of SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (4), Petaling Jaya won herself a Sunway
College bursary worth RM10,000; RM400 cash prize and a Certificate of commendation from the Oxford and Cambridge
Society of Malaysia. The second runner-up, Umy Marshita Mohamed Azhar of SMK Kota Kemuning, Shah Alam took home
a Sunway College bursary worth RM8,000; RM200 cash prize and a Certificate of commendation from the Oxford and
Cambridge Society of Malaysia.

The consolation prize winners for the event were Chrystal Foo Kai Ying of SMK Convent Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur; Davin
Singh Sukhbir Singh of SMK Aminuddin Baki, Kuala Lumpur and Matthew Ernest Paul of SMK Seksyen 1 Bandar Kinrara, Selangor.

Winners with the judges and representatives from Sunway College and the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia

03

MOVERS & SHAKERS

GENERATING THE BIG IDEA @ VU BUSINESS
CHALLENGE 2016

Open to students from Chinese Independent Schools across Malaysia, the Victoria University (VU) Business Challenge is
designed wholly by the Australian University Programme team at Sunway College to test students on their intellect, logic,
problem-solving skills and entrepreneurship.
Each of the 64 teams that initially signed up for the preliminary challenge had to come up with The BIG Idea, a business
proposal for a realistic product or service. The proposal had to include business concept, target market, landscape
competition, SWOT analysis, and a business idea or strategy.
This was then narrowed down to 20 teams in the semi-final round. At their display booths in the semi-final round, the
teams had to create a prototype and give a 3-to-5 minute pitch of their ideas to the judges. The best 8 teams were then
shortlisted for the finals where they had to present their ideas to the judges and the public.
Team OneClick comprising Beh Chen Kai, Tan Wei Tee, Ng Wei Yeak and Chuah Yong Chuen of Jit Sin Independent High
School Bukit Mertajam, emerged champions of this year’s VU Business Challenge. All four members were rewarded with a
bursary worth RM45,000 each to cover tuition fees for the 3-year VU Bachelor of Business programme under the Australian
University Programme at Sunway College along with a total cash prize of RM1,000. Pitching a business plan on ESM
(Emergency Service Mobile), their mobile application incorporated a multi-language selection and Global Positioning
System (GPS) feature to minimise communication barriers between the emergency response team and the caller.
Team eaTsy comprising Chye Chia Run, Liew Tean Liang, Ng Lee Hen and Ng Zi Cheng of Chong Hwa Independent High
School Kuala Lumpur came in second place and took home an additional prize, the “Most Innovative Idea.” Winning
themselves a bursary of RM30,000 each for the 3-year VU Bachelor of Business programme at Sunway College and a
total cash prize of RM800, team EaTsy created a self-heating bento box to cook a variety of frozen food, without the use
of a microwave.
Just Cut Salon comprising Loh Jia Wei, Chong Jin Hao, Soo Yinn Shin, and Kok Mandy of Chong Hwa Independent High
School Kuala Lumpur came in third and won themselves a bursary of RM24,000 each along with a total cash prize of RM600.
Initiated by the Sunway Marketing Department, staff members and student bodies of the Victoria University Business
Club and the Sunway Certified CPA (Certified Practicing Accountant) Australia Student Charter, this yearly event has
grown from strength to strength as the students from the Chinese Independent Schools, with the help and support of
their teachers had brought out language, delivery, concepts and ideas that amazed the judges and the public in the
Victoria University Business Challenge 2016.

Winners of the VU Business Challenge 2016

04

FACE TO FACE

GIVING 100% EFFORT AND DEDICATION

Having received the Jeffrey Cheah Entrance
Scholarship based on his SPM results, 19-year old
Kamaleshwaran Ganeson from Kuala Lumpur chose
to do the Foundation in Science and Technolgy (FIST)
programme because he had the option to not do a
Mathematics subject. He also liked the idea of trying
out something new, and with FIST being a relatively
new programme, the small number of students
gave him the opportunity to learn in a more focused
and concentrated manner from the lecturers in the
programme.

Kamaleshwaran highly recommends the FIST
programme because the holistic learning he gained
came about from choosing to do this foundation
programme. FIST helped him to prep himself
for university life which to him, is more than just
studying and memorising books for examinations.
FIST introduced him to Introduction to Psychology,
Scientific Revolutions and Professional Development
which peaked his interest and insatiable curiosity, and
FIST gave him the opportunity to work in small groups
with his classmates and be a voice on the Student
Committee. The library was a favourite spot, as he felt
dwarfed by all the knowledge there and the endless
options of deciding where to eat is something he will
always remember of his time in FIST.

For Kamaleshwaran, a student’s path to acquire
knowledge is never ending and when he discovered
he had received the Certificate of Academic
Excellence, the Vice-Chancellor’s Subject Award,
the Center for Asia Leadership Scholarship and the
Jeffrey Cheah Continuing Scholarship, he was elated
to have made the right decisions in giving his best
at everything he had to do. By taking his studies and
assessments seriously, Kamaleshwaran maintained
a 4.0 CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) in
FIST and was chosen to be the valedictorian of his
graduating class.

Having enrolled in the Bachelor of Science (Hons)
Psychology in Sunway University, Kamaleshwaran
is very much looking forward to acquiring new
knowledge on various topics and getting his mind
blown away discovering things he never knew about
himself. He intends to become more involved in co-
curricular activities for his undergraduate studies.

He advises future FIST students to always give 100%
effort and dedication to the tasks at hand to bring
about the best of results, no matter the difficulty or
complexity of the task at hand and to be true to
themselves.

05

FACE TO FACE

FROM CRUNCHING NUMBERS TO MAKING
PEOPLE LAUGH

Having spent the past five years working
with numbers, 25-year old Juliana Heng from
Petaling Jaya completed her Sunway-TES
certification in 2011. Currently working in
KLCC Property Holdings Berhad as a Finance
Executive in Management Services, Juliana
has made it a point to excel at whatever tasks
assigned to her. Every assignment has learning
points that has helped her in her personal
development, be it at work or in life itself.

A Jeffrey Cheah Entrance Scholarship
recipient, Juliana believes that the Sunway
TES programme gave her a wholesome
educational experience and made a whole
world of difference in her life. The technical
knowledge, inspiring stories and valuable
lessons shared by her lecturers gave her the
competitive advantage at job interviews.

Team work proved to be a key ingredient
for her course mates and herself as they
often leveraged on each other’s strength in
tackling the examinations. She is also grateful
to the support staff for organising the lectures,
examinations and keeping everything orderly.

Juliana remembers the classes being very
packed, yet there were many fun events
taking place all over the Sunway campus at
the same time. After watching a street dance
competition being performed at the college
cafeteria, Juliana picked up street dancing.
The skill has helped her get closer to people at
social events.

Juliana who went bald at the ‘Jom Botak For Juliana and her friends, every Friday would see them conducting “Tension
2016’ in aid of cancer research Releasing Exercises” which had them hanging out at Sunway Pyramid doing
food tests, karaoke singing and watching movies at the cinema. To excel in
06 their studies and indulge in fun events simultaneously, heightened skills in time
management is a definite plus point.

This skill has Juliana squeezing time out of her super hectic work schedule at
KLCC Property Holdings Berhad to work on her passion, stand-up comedy.
Having made her debut at One Mic Stand in September last year for her solo
three-minute performance, Juliana hopes to give joy to the world via her
repertoire of funny stories, observational humour, character imitation, musical
parody and wordplay jokes. For Juliana, the support of her father and friends
for her passion in making people laugh is a joyful way of contributing to society.

From once a month to once a fortnight, Juliana Intends to continue doing more
stand-up comedy performances. She hopes to bridge the gap between her
day job and her dream job of making people from all walks of life laugh.

“If you want to run far, run together” could pretty much sum up her time at
Sunway TES. Extolling future students of Sunway TES to be brave and to be bold,
Juliana suggests keeping an open mind to possibilities around you, not to label
yourself negatively, be grateful and make the best of everyday, be happy.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

TRACKING THROUGH DISCOVERY DAY @ MUFY

Monash academics and Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) students had a field day when they got together on
Discovery Day. With career options aplenty and so much information available, the four hundred students who signed up
for the one-day event had to choose one path for the day that is Track A, B or C.

Track A was about dissecting Medicine, Pharmacy and Science whereas Track B was all about Engineering and
Computing. Track C proved to be a wealth of information on Business, Arts and Psychology in Monash University. All these
three tracks led to MUFY students learning more about the potential career options available within their chosen track.

From workshops, talks, presentations and technical
demonstrations given by the Monash academics, MUFY
students had the opportunity to learn more about their
choice of undergraduate studies and to get some hands-on
experience interacting with technology, facilities and the
lecturers in Monash University.

A day full of fun, discovery and possibilities, the MUFY students
are all ready to set their sights on a brighter future and geared
to take on the challenging world of learning with Monash
University.

MUFY students enjoying themselves during MUFY students at the laboratory
the Discovery Day

07

FACE TO FACE

CHOOSING A COLOURFUL UNIVERSITY LIFE

Currently an Accounts Associate with Sunway FSSC Sdn Bhd, Sunway Group, Victoria University valedictorian Ong
Lee Yan for the 2015 cohort continues to unleash her potential and is busy pursuing her five-year goal of becoming a
Corporate Strategy Consultant.

A Star Education Fund scholarship recipient, 23-year old Lee Yan chose Victoria University as she wanted an active and
colourful university life, with an intense syllabus for developing her critical thinking skills. She chose Accounting, Banking
and Finance to broaden her understanding of business from a financial point of view. Amazed by the Sunway campus,
she discovered the Victoria University programme has shaped her into an all-rounder as the Professional Development
subjects required students to propose a real world business project, including a detailed business plan in Year 3.

Generating business ideas, researching the viability and connecting with a network of peers, lecturers, friends and
contacts were essential to helping students like Lee Yan build a viable business project. Through this platform, Lee Yan
found her skills in learning, communications and self-development were enhanced by this component of her studies in
Victoria University.

Grateful to her lecturers for their expertise, experience and knowledge, Lee Yan chose to look for the interesting bits in
her Victoria University routines by adding the Victoria University Business Club (VUBC) to her portfolio of extracurricular
activities. From being an Assistant Secretary in the VUBC in 2014, she became the President in 2015 to help other VUBC
members tap into their own self-development and unleash their potential.

Some of her best memories in Victoria
University are from the time she spent with
the members of the VUBC but they definitely
cannot top the excitement Lee Yan had
over the opportunity to join the summer
exchange programme for Hansung University
in South Korea. She came home from
Hansung University with the Honour Student
Award for being the best student for the
Korean Language subject.

When it came time to say goodbye to
Victoria University, Lee Yan chose to deliver
her farewell in an inspiring speech focused
on their time as students and the future as
their launching point to the next chapter in
their lives. As valedictorian, Lee Yan chose
to encourage her fellow graduates to define
their success as humans by the following
measures: “Our Giving, Our Passion, Our
Embracing of Differences and Our Love.”

Lee Yan chose to join Sunway as she is
inspired by the leadership qualities of Tan Sri
Dr Jeffrey Cheah. Thankful for the guidance
of her seniors, team lead and managers in
Sunway FSSC, Lee Yan maintains her positive
views on life by continuing to give her best
in her current role and to keep on learning
about the ever changing landscape of work.

08

FACE TO FACE

FUTURE GAME DESIGNER

Having led a “sunny” life back at Sunnydale (primary level) and Sunbeams (secondary level) in the city of Dhaka, 19-
year old Enan Syed Munzar from Bangladesh chose to pursue college life in sunny Kuala Lumpur in Sunway College.

Asides from the hot weather in Malaysia, Enan discovered the Australian Matriculation (AUSMAT) programme to be
a fairly nice environment with conveniences like Sunway Pyramid and the Rock Café nearby. Enan recommends the
evening fountain shows at KLCC. During his time here in Malaysia, Enan has enjoyed taking a vacation in Langkawi and
in some ways, he feels he has never left his home in Dhaka.

Having enrolled in the one-year Australian Matriculation Programme (AUSMAT) at Sunway College, Enan found the
programme challenging academically but recommends future students to rely on the approachable and generally nice

lecturers for consultation, support and advice with their studies.

By doing the scary thing and embracing a whole new world, Enan thinks
picking the right best-four subjects, doing the assignments given and
organising his time in AUSMAT has taught him much about creating a
balance between study and other activities.

For him, the introduction to the Kangaroo Maths Competition, the Euclid
Contest, and the Australian Maths Competition were a lot of fun. Enan
appreciates the diversity in Malaysia has introduced to his favourite food,
Arabic cuisine. He believes determination can solve a lot of problems and
courtesy is always a good friend to have. Make sure to make friends, find
folks to hang with indoors, talk to people and have fun as AUSMAT has
taught him much.

Enan and his sister Having accepted the scholarship offer from Rochester Institute of
Technology, New York, Enan will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science in
Game Design and Development starting in August. Fascinated by games
and always re-imagining games he had played, Enan thinks even video
games have a part to play in making the world a better place. Through his
fascination with games, he hopes to do what he can to raise awareness
about social issues like many others in the media and entertainment
industries try to do.

Enan with Vanitha Satchithanadan, Director of AUSMAT and Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director, Sunway Education Group and
Sunway University at the AUSMAT Awards ceremony last year

09

FOCUS

JOY AND LAUGHTER FOR 150
UPON GRADUATION

Foundation in Science and Technology graduates

Kamaleshwaran Ganeson Sunway College Foundation in Arts (FIA) and Foundation in Science
and Technology (FIST) programmes recently concluded their latest
graduation ceremony with much joy and laughter for one hundred
and fifty students.

After having spent an entire year filled with homework, assignments,
presentations, quizzes and examinations, Kamaleshwaran Ganeson
from FIST is happy for the incredible experience of being taught to
become a better thinker, learning to conduct research and writing a
paper. The learning of the history of science and the study of human
nature at this pre-university level has Kamaleshwaran feeling fortunate
he enrolled for FIST.

In his speech to the graduating class, Kamaleshwaran mentioned, “No
effort is wasted effort, and no knowledge is wasted knowledge. With
this in mind, any goal is achievable by just about anyone, given that
adequate effort is put in.”

Thanking the amazing and understanding lecturers for their patience
and their focus on making us successful individuals, we would not
have even been able to make it through semester 1, let alone
graduate, according to Kamaleshwaran.

Having achieved a 4.0 CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average),
Kamaleshwaran received the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Foundation
in Science and Technology, a Certificate of Academic Excellence
and a full scholarship under the Jeffery Cheah Continuing Scholarship
to Sunway University. Kamaleshwaran has decided to pursue further
studies in the BSc (Hons) Psychology programme at Sunway University.

According to Chong Yen Ling, her time in FIA included studying from books, learning communications and presentation
skills. Yen Ling received the Certificate of Academic Excellence, the Vice-Chancellor’s Subject Award for Introduction
to Business: World of Finance, and the Jeffery Cheah Continuing Scholarship where she intends to take up the BSc (Hons)
Accounting and Finance at Sunway University.

10

Chong Yen Ling (left) with Chong Li Yin FOCUS

Another FIA graduate, Chong Li Yin received the Vice-
Chancellor’s Subject Award for Mathematics and a 75%
Jeffery Cheah Continuing Scholarship. She too intends to
further her studies in the BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance
at Sunway University.

Twelve students from the FIA programme took home
the Vice-Chancellor’s Subject Award with Shashwatha
Manisekar receiving 3 awards for Enrichment
Electives, Microeconomics: Concept and Models, and
Macroeconomics: The Global View, and Nicole Wong Yun
Kee with 2 awards for Introduction to Public Relations and
Introduction to Travel and Cuisine.

Five graduates from the FIST and FIA programmes were
awarded the Asia Leadership Scholarship which involved a
6-day residential leadership workshop under the Center for
Asia Leadership mentored by teaching fellows from Harvard
University and Stanford University. The five selected were
Kamaleshwaran Ganeson, Chong Yen Ling, Chong Li Yin,
Sandra Lo Yi Ying and Wong Jia Yi.

Students who achieved high distinctions Students who received the Vice-Chancellor’s Subject Award

CENTER FOR ASIA LEADERSHIP: BUILDING LEADERS FOR THE CONCEPTUAL AGE

Helping to develop the intrinsic motivation of youths in Asia is the Center for Asia Leadership (CAL). Set up in Cambridge
Massachusetts in 2014, the vision of CAL is to enable these future leaders to serve and impact their communities.

According to Samuel Kim, President of the Center for Asia Leadership, the shift of the global workforce from a
knowledge-based economy to a “conceptual age” requires future leaders who are entrepreneurial; and simultaneously
creators and emphathisers.

In this six-day programme, Kamaleshwaran (far right second row) at the 6-day residential workshop
Five Teaching Fellows from
Harvard and Stanford
University were here in Kuala
Lumpur to mentor these
youths using leadership
frameworks taught at
Harvard University. With
plenary sessions, interactive
workshops, professional
development sessions and
career mentoring built
into the Asia Leadership
programme, the youths
learned about being self-
reliant, their own personal
brand plus learn to build
and mould their leadership
mindset.

11

MOVERS & SHAKERS

187 TEAMS COMPETE AT THE SUNWAY COLLEGE
A-LEVEL MATHS AND LOGIC CHALLENGE 2016

The tenth edition of the Sunway College
A-Level Maths and Logic Challenge began in
April this year. An annual event, the National
Challenge preliminary round had students
competing as individuals in the first round
followed by a ‘two-in-a-team’ effort in the
second round.

For the finals of the Sunway College A-Level

Maths and Logic Challenge, a total of 187

teams took part in the competition and a

total of 27 teams from the states of Kedah,

Penang, Perak, Malacca, Johor, Negeri

Sembilan, Pahang, Selangor and Kuala

Champions Ong Xin Jiong (2nd from left) and Takeda Shigenori (3rd from Lumpur took home prizes. Students from the
left) of Chong Hwa Independent High School, Kuala Lumpur with their top three teams in each participating state
teacher Ms Lian Bee Bee (1st from left) and Dr Elizabeth Lee (far right) took home a Sunway College A-Level bursary

worth RM8,000 and or a Sunway University degree bursary worth RM8,000 for studies in Actuarial Studies or Financial

Analysis or Financial Economics and a certificate of commendation each.

Chong Hwa Independent High School, Kuala Lumpur emerged as champions at the Sunway College A-Level Maths and
Logic Challenge this year and won the challenge trophy and RM800 cash. The duo of Takeda Shigenori and Ong Xin
Jiong each took home a full Sunway College A-Level bursary worth RM25,000 and or a Sunway University degree bursary
worth RM48,000 for studies in Actuarial Studies or Financial Analysis or Financial Economics; an individual trophy each,
and a certificate of commendation each.

Chong Hwa Independent High School, Kuala Lumpur also took home an additional RM600 cash as the First Runner-Up.
Their students, Tan Soon Wei and Foo Shi Quan each won themselves a Sunway College A-Level bursary worth RM16,000
and or a Sunway University degree bursary worth RM36,000 for studies in Actuarial Studies or Financial Analysis or Financial
Economics; an individual trophy and a certificate of commendation each.

As the Second Runner-Up, Chung Hua High School, Negeri Sembilan took home RM500 cash. Their students, Ang Jian
Hwee and Lee Jia Jun each won themselves a Sunway College A-Level bursary worth RM12,000 and or a Sunway
University degree bursary worth RM24,000 for studies in Actuarial Studies or Financial Analysis or Financial Economics; an
individual trophy, and a certificate of commendation each.

In her closing speech, Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway Education Group and Sunway University
thanked the students, teachers and representatives from schools in Peninsular Malaysia for their enthusiasm and support
in helping to promote excellence in mathematics amongst secondary school students.

Winners of the Sunway College A-Level Maths and Logic Challenge 2016 with Sunway College A-Level teachers and management team
12

FACE TO FACE

CREATING A BETTER LIFE

A recipient of the Jeffrey Cheah Special
Entrance Scholarship, 19-year old Wong
Cheng Yee from Kuala Lumpur chose to
do his pre-university programme at Sunway
College as he believed that would provide
him with a student friendly environment and
a great tertiary education. He chose the one-
year Foundation in Arts (FIA) programme for
the balance of coursework and examinations.

Naming his FIA lecturers Ms Nithi, Mr Shatish,
Ms Neethasha, Ms Zurina, Ms Dionne, Ms
Santhya, Ms Yi Ying, Ms Ann, Ms Muru, Ms
Lily and Ms Suba as the best kind of people,
Cheng Yee is grateful to them for having
made his time in FIA a memorable one in the
classroom and beyond it.

His time in FIA exposed him to a completely
different and diverse environment. With the
variety of coursework for each individual
subject, this then challenged him to
understand more about the world, as
the assignments and projects given in FIA
emphasised helping people in need.

For Cheng Yee, the English documentary
project, where the members of his team had
to select the topic and complete it within the
given timeline taught him to be independent.
His time in FIA may have come to a close
but Cheng Yee does wish the time had gone
slower as he missed out on participating more
in extra-curricular activities. Get new friends,
learn new things, count on your lecturers, do
your best and enjoy your time in FIA is Cheng
Yee’s advice for those intending to take up
FIA as a pre-university programme.

Having received the Vice-Chancellor’s
Award for Mathematics for Actuarial Studies
and Enrichment Subjects, a Certificate of
Academic Excellence and the Jeffrey Cheah
Continuing Scholarship, Cheng Yee is looking forward to continuing his undergraduate studies in Sunway University as he
loves Mathematics.

Having started his classes in January 2016 for the Bachelor of Science (Hons) Actuarial Studies, Cheng Yee has now
traded his small FIA classrooms for bigger classes and is looking forward to living in the present to the best and fullest of
his abilities. By learning more things and meeting new people, Cheng Yee hopes to find the opportunities to make a
better life for himself in the future.

Advising future students to never give up even when life hits rock bottom is Cheng Yee’s way of telling everyone they
are born to do great things in this world. According to Cheng Yee, “Disappointments may hit but be ready for the great
things that come after.”

13

MOVERS & SHAKERS

BUILDING A POOL OF TALENT FOR
ACCOUNTANCY IN MALAYSIA

Sunway TES Centre for Accountancy Excellence (CAE) has recently aligned itself with a new initiative. As a Centre for
Accountancy Excellence, Sunway TES is working on bringing up the standards of Malaysia’s Polytechnic syllabi to be
on par with the international standards of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), the professional
accountancy certification.
YB Dato’ Seri Haji Idris Jusoh, Minister of Higher Education, Malaysia was present to witness the signing and exchange of
the two Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). An initiative supported by Performance Management and Delivery Unit
(PEMANDU) and Yayasan Peneraju Pendidikan Bumiputra (YPPB), the first MoU was exchanged between Dr Lee Weng
Keng, Chief Executive Officer, Education and Healthcare Division, Sunway Group and Tuan Haji Mohd Ghaus Ab Kadir,
Deputy Director General, Department of Polytechnic Education, Ministry of Higher Education.
According to Dr Lee Weng Keng, “We are committed to help realise the government’s goal set out in EPP 17 of the
Economic Transformation Programme (ETP), which aims to transform Malaysia into a leading Accountancy hub in the
Asia Pacific region.”
“By working together with ACCA Malaysia and Sunway TES CAE to meet the market demand for accounting
professionals, we hope our graduates will become globally recognised and well accepted for employment in
multinational companies,” said Tuan Haji Mohd Ghaus.
As part of this collaboration, Politeknik Port Dickson (PPD) has been chosen to pilot this initiative. Other initiatives
include initiating Train-the-Lecturers programme, Intensive English Programme, preparatory class for ACCA papers of F5
Performance Management and F6 Malaysian Taxation.
A second MoU was exchanged between ACCA represented by Helen Brand OBE, ACCA’s Chief Executive and the
Department of Polytechnic Education, Ministry of Higher Education represented by Tuan Haji Mohd Ghaus.
Helen Brand said: “In embarking on this cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, we will provide Malaysia with
the training and education needed to develop professional accountants for Malaysia to fulfil its economic aspirations.
We will be supporting the first batch of 160 students from polytechnic colleges across Malaysia to study for the ACCA
Qualification and we will work on up-skilling the polytechnic lecturers and tutors.”
According to Brand, “ACCA sees this as an opportunity to assess the Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Accountancy
programmes offered at polytechnic colleges. The objective is to award the appropriate level of exemptions for the ACCA
Qualifications. ACCA will assess several polytechnic colleges under the purview of the Ministry of Higher Education, and
guide those that meet the specified quality criteria to become an ACCA Approved Learning Partner.”

(from left) Tengku Azian Shahriman, Teo Ee Sing, Datuk Alexandra Chin, Tuan Haji Mohd Ghaus Ab Kadir, YB Dato’ Seri Haji Idris Jusoh,
Helen Brand, Dr Lee Weng Keng and Dr Elizabeth Lee
14

FACE TO FACE

SWIMMING TOWARDS SUCCESS

Having just recently completed her one-year Monash University Foundation Year (MUFY) in June this year, 17-year old
Carynn Kay Chan from Klang has represented the state of Selangor in swimming meets since 2008.

Asides from the sleeping, eating, training component of being a serious swim athlete, Carynn finds the library to be the
best part of studying in Sunway College. The small weekly tests in MUFY proved to be a challenge for Carynn as she trains
up to twelve sessions per week during competition season. With every session timed at two and half hours each, Carynn
spends her time being trained by Wong Tuck Kar, her coach and a former Malaysian national swimmer.

Her start in swimming came about because of her asthma. Her parents decided to take her to the swimming pool as
they were advised by the doctor that swimming would help Caryn improve her asthmatic condition. During her last
schooling year in Regent International School, she participated in her first ASEAN School Games. She loved representing
Malaysia, getting to travel in a group with other swimmers and creating memorable moments together at the Games.

Representing Sunway College
at Sukan Institut Pengajian
Tinggi (SUKIPT) is one of the
most memorable occasions for
Carynn as she won three gold
medals competing against other
Malaysian swimmers from higher
institutions of learning. On a 100%
sports scholarship in Sunway
College, Carynn is grateful for the
support and understanding of the
MUFY teachers as they were there
to help her with the academic
component of her studies. Carynn
thoroughly enjoyed her English
classes, which included movie
time for her and those who took
the classes.

As serious and dedicated as she
is about swimming for Malaysia
competitively, Carynn has no
intention to be a full time athlete
at this point in time as she believes
academics is her main priority.

For all the ups and downs in
her life, her mantra in life is that
whenever you fall down, you pick
yourself up again and again and
again as success is always around
the corner for you never know until
you try. Carynn hopes to represent
Malaysia at the upcoming Tokyo
Olympics in 2020 and would like to
thank God, her parents, coaches
and friends who have been there
for her.

15

FACE TO FACE

HAVING A CUPPA…

Dr Elizabeth Lee having a chat with students after the session

At a town hall meeting jointly organised
by Sunway Student Services Department
and the student leaders of Sunway
College and Sunway University, more
than one hundred and fifty students
and staff members were invited to “Let’s
Have a Cuppa Coffee” with Dr Elizabeth
Lee, Senior Executive Director of Sunway
Education Group and Sunway University.
The chat aimed to provide students
and staff a platform to foster closer
relationships and work at enhancing
students’ experiences in Sunway.
Thought-provoking and at times funny,
various issues were raised at the chat
by students who were eager to present
their opinions, provide feedback and
suggestions on topics related to their
experience on campus.
Listening attentively to this dialogue, Dr Lee expressed her concern for the students’ well-being and encouraged them to
look out for each other. On hand to assist Dr Lee were the administrators and faculty, including Head of Departments of
Sunway University and Sunway College who were there to take note of the feedback and suggestions provided by the
students on top of providing extensive information with regards to the flexibility and availability of elective subjects for
undergraduate students, employability, on campus facilities and gender equality. Dr Lee hopes the students would make
full use of the opportunities available in Sunway to broaden their horizons and to participate in the public lectures like the
Jeffrey Cheah Distinguished Speakers Series (JCDSS).
Nur Sakiinah currently President for the Secretariat of Rukun Negara (SRN), a Sunway student leadership club found the
“Let’s Have a Cuppa Coffee” to be a good opportunity to interact with Dr Lee and the other staff members. The chat
was a good starting point for her to establish and broaden her network with students from other programmes.

16

MOVERS & SHAKERS

MORE THAN JUST ACHIEVEMENTS CELEBRATED
AT 50TH COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY

Canadian International Matriculation Programme graduates

The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) was awarded to
a total of two hundred and twenty-two graduates at the recent
50th Commencement ceremony for Sunway College’s Canadian
International Matriculation Programme (CIMP). Internationally
recognised, the OSSD had seventeen students receiving Gold
Medals for achieving 90% and above. These seventeen joined
seventy-four other CIMP graduates as Ontario Scholars, an honour
reserved for those who achieve an overall average of 80% or greater.

More than just academic achievements, the CIMP recognised the
students for contributions beyond the walls of the classrooms. With
the minimum of ten voluntary hours required of each student, the
community service component of the OSSD recognised ten students
for contributing more than 100 hours of volunteer work and another
sixty-three with Volunteer Certificates of Recognition.

Bryan Chen Chi-Ern Reminding his peers that success is more than just achievements,
valedictorian Bryan Chen Chi-Ern asked his fellow graduates to
form friendships, appreciate the offerings of life and respond to
future events and challenges. Having received the Subject Award
for Mathematics of Data Management, Bryan intends to pursue a
degree in design at Keio University, Japan. He encouraged his fellow
graduates to make success a more meaningful word rather than just
achievements, hierarchy or positions.

Active in various fundraising projects, the graduates help raised an overall contribution of RM5,658 for Refuge for
Refugees and UNICEF – Disaster Relief, Women’s Aid Organization, PAWS, SPCA and Second Chance Animal Society,
and Malaysia Independent Animal Rescue; with RM3,448 for Dialogue in the Dark. The Multiple Sclerosis Walk 2016
raised awareness for multiple sclerosis while the Environmentalist Entrepreneurship Club donated profits from activities
to underprivileged children. The Free Tree Society had CIMP volunteer gardeners and volunteer helpers for the Kechara
Soup Kitchen.

For his 572 hours of community service, Lim Tze Sean was bestowed the Community Service Award. A Mathematics tutor,
a taekwondo coach and a helping hand with Student Council activities, Tze Sean has learnt to appreciate his life more
by giving back to society. This in turn has helped him grow as a person for there were many who helped him before he
turned eighteen and this was his opportunity to give back.

Applauding the graduates for their contributions towards community service, Dr Elizabeth Lee, Senior Executive Director
of Sunway Education Group and Sunway University asked the students to take with them the knowledge, understanding,
good values and attitudes imparted to them during their time in Sunway. She hoped they have gained a greater
understanding of their role in society and would walk away with the desire to continue giving back to the community by
volunteering time for the good of others.

Jennifer Rodrigue, First Secretary and Trade Commissioner of High Commission of Canada graced the event. Also
present at the commencement were Puan Sri (Dr) Susan Cheah, EXCO member of the Sunway Group, and Professor
Graeme Wilkinson, Vice-Chancellor of Sunway University.

17

FACE TO FACE

HEADED TO IRELAND

Ying Ling with her parents

For 19-year old Dee Ying Ling, A-Level
proved to be the key she needed
to get into a prestigious university.
Having finished her A-Level in
November 2015, Dee Ying Ling who
comes from a family of four is making
plans to head to University College
Dublin, Ireland to complete a 4-year
Pharmacology course.

The good facilities (including the

canopy walks) and the very awesome

hostel in Sunway College proved to

be deciding factors in Ying Ling’s

decision to do the A-Level. Although

the one-and-a-half-year intense

syllabus was challenging for Ying Ling,

she found the courses meaningful and

Ying Ling with other Sunway College students and teachers at the CIE Awards ceremony last year worthwhile because her lecturers were
responsible and experienced in

steering her through her syllabus. Fondly remembering the sincerity and helpfulness of her lecturers, Ying Ling felt her

thinking and analytical skills improved and were enhanced by her taking this programme.

Ying Ling is a recipient of the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards for
Top in Malaysia in Chemistry. With straight As in Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Mathematics at the AS level, Ying Ling is
very grateful to the four equally great lecturers that is Ms Miki Sung, Mr Sim Hong Vee, Mr Chong Kok Foo and Mr Kingsley
Row. She also found time to become a member of the A-Level Student Ambassadors (ALSTAR) and Sunway Student
Volunteers, with more than 50 hours volunteered at a variety of events.

As for the next chapter after A-Level, Ying Ling is very much looking forward to experiencing the weather, culture and
learning experience of studying overseas in Ireland. Ying Ling hopes to one day set up her own pharmacy in Malaysia
after completing her undergraduate then post-graduate degrees overseas followed by a stint serving her scholarship
bond in Malaysia.

For future students of A-Level, Ying Ling has this to say, ”You have made the right choice. Make the best out of the one-
and-a-half-year and complete it with no regrets.”

18

FACE TO FACE

HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR

by Sri Yamuna Permaloo, SMK (P) Methodist, Ipoh

Though the year has 365 days in total, and it’s
impossible to remember what happened every
single day, one specific day would definitely be
remembered and cherished for quite a while.
No, it is not my sweet sixteen birthday party,
but 16th of July 2016 - the day of the semi-final
and final rounds of the Oxford and Cambridge
Society Malaysia 14th English Language Event:
Public Speaking Competition 2016.

Three months prior that day, I stepped foot into Sri Yamuna with Puan Hajah Haslina Abd Rahim, Senior Assistant of SMK (P)
Sunway University for the preliminary rounds Methodist Ipoh and Wong Lei Lei, Director of Marketing, Sunway Education Group
with a stomach packed with butterflies and
my father, the greatest life support system
standing tall by my side. Though I am genuinely
passionate with public speaking and have been
participating in speaking competitions ever since
I was 8 years old, I still had doubts and fears.

Every participant had their own distinct and authentic way of expressing themselves and it was quite intimidating at
times. I thought it impossible for a socially awkward person like myself to make it through, but things seemed different this
time around and the one thing that kept playing in my mind was that I had to give it my very best shot, and ignore what
people had to say about me, and that was exactly what I did.

After being selected as one of the top 12 semifinalists, at the thought of the competition I would start to tense up.
Although there was a three months gap from the preliminary rounds to the semifinal and finals, every nerve in my body
was tense for I knew how fast the time would fly. I read voraciously on issues occurring around the world and never failed
to practice in front of the mirror daily.

Months passed and it was time for the competition. My father drove me all the way from blissful Ipoh, Perak to the lively
Kuala Lumpur for the competition. I was pretty down that none of my friends nor my teachers were able to come and
support, but having my father by my side was equivalent to having a stadium full of supporters. On the 16th of July, my
father and I were the first ones to arrive at the Sunway University foyer and we were ushered by the nicest people in the
world, and I’d like to call them the “Sunway Angels”. Slowly, one by one the semifinalists were ushered into the quarantine
room and there we all sat. My thoughts shifted from one to another, faster than a Lamborghini.

“Selfie addiction”, was what all twelve of us spoke on for the semifinal impromptu round, and to be honest, it was totally
unexpected. Right after the semifinals, Mr Mark Disney and Dr Ian Halsall gave mind-blowing talks and I was wonderstruck.
Hours passed, and then the time came for the announcement of the finalists. A huge sigh of relieve and joy was all I felt
as I my name was called. We drew lots and I was fated to be the final speaker for the final round. I was ready to feel
butterflies fluttering in my stomach, but much to my surprise, not a single butterfly could be felt and my body muscles
didn’t tighten up as well. I sat in the quarantine room alone, waiting for my turn to face a crowd of 1,000 students across
Malaysia in the Jeffrey Cheah Hall.

“Identity is never static” was the topic for the prepared round, which I had received a month before and the topic is
extremely close to my heart. Maybe that’s why I nailed the competition and rose as the champion. That speech was the
most enjoyable one I have ever presented for I was able to make a confession to the audience and share with them my
notorious procrastinating habits, and how I made a choice to change myself forever. After all, the choice to achieve
anything in life is in our hands, and I knew that the choice to win this competition was in my hands as well. But it would
be rude and inhuman if I took full credit for winning. It was a masterpiece, a dream which came true thanks to every soul
who helped me with the competition and I definitely have to start off by thanking my teacher, Miss Komala for believing
in my ideas and helped me polish the script and my presentation, a huge thank you to all my classmates who so willingly
watched me present my three minute speech over and over again, my mother for having sacrificed her TV time to watch
her sixteen year old present her speech and discussed loads of critical issues occurring across the earth, and fellow public
speakers across the country who were kind enough to spend some time advising and assisting me. Most importantly,
I would love to thank my father for as long as I live, for being there every single moment I needed him, for sharing his
wisdom about life with me every time we drove around the streets of Ipoh and for having believed in me when no one
else did.

Being part of this competition and being blessed to win was truly the highlight of the year. But most importantly, the

competition helped me believe in myself and though I can be a very socially awkward person in real life and people can

be judgemental at times, hopefully this achievement would prove them wrong and remind the haters to never judge

a book by its cover. The best part of the event were the hugs and wishes I received from everyone around me and not

forgetting, I would like to thank the Sunway committee all the way to the Sun for letting out those huge balloons in the hall

to celebrate and mark the end of the event. 19