Harvard Prize Book and RM 2,000 for 3 Sunway College Students

Chong Lip Yi, Pauline Ann Loh and Daniel Fong Zhen Yong were thrilled when they were announced the Harvard Prize Book Winners recently. The three students, an Australian Matriculation Programme, Canadian International Matriculation Programme and A-levels students respectively are from the Pre-University Programmes of Sunway College. They each received RM 2,000 cash prize, a copy of the Harvard Prize Book, an opportunity for internship in the Harvard Club of Malaysia throughout the duration of study at Sunway College and a certificate endorsed by the Harvard Club of Malaysia.

From left to right: Ng Hon Soon, Chong Lip Yi, Pauline Ann Loh, Tan Sri Lin See Yan, Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director Sunway Education Group; Nicholas Khaw, Daniel Fong Zhen Yong and Nadiah Wan

The 3 winners were selected from 12 students who were full-time students of Pre-University who have completed at least one semester of study and are a continuing student at Sunway College. They all had an academic achievement of the first semester that was an average 90% and above and demonstrated exceptional contribution and engagement in the community service. The students were assessed by a stringent panel of judges from the Harvard Club of Malaysia based on an interview covering social, intellectual and ethical aspects.

During the Harvard Prize Book Award Ceremony, Tan Sri Lin See Yan, President of the Harvard Club of Malaysia presented the audience with a 45 minute talk on the Harvard Education system. His talk was the accumulated perspective over the years. His sharp wit and style created laughter among the crowd.

From left to right: Wong Sook Jean, Ng Hon Soon, Elizabeth Lee, Tan Sri Lin See Yan, Nadiah Wan and Nicholas Khaw.

“I can be very convincing, I can tell you that but people will fall back to their comfort zone, which is the English Education System”, said Tan Sri Lin See Yan when comparing the American Education system to the British Education system. In regards to the Harvard experience, he shared, “Professors love teaching undergraduates. The students are so bright that the amount of work to do just to prepare the students is enormous”. He added, “At a tender age of 18 or 19, you hardly know what you want to do. You are transiting from your family into a new social order, leaving behind the comforts of your home. A University has to provide for that and transform you from a kid into an adult. The liberal arts education will teach you how to think critically, give you a sense of history and theory that will empower and enlighten you to have self-confidence. That will guide you towards finding yourself”.

Tan Sri Lin See Yan also officiated and launched the Harvard Collection at the Sunway Tun Hussein Onn Library. The Harvard collection consists of books authored by Harvard alumni.