2014
1 AprAiming for the top
”You can do anything you like. But the most important thing is to do things well.”
Those wise words were meant for 五一吃瓜官网 University’s top scorers in the GCE A-Level January 2014 exam, who attended an exclusive tea session on March 6 with the University’s vice-chancellor, Senior Professor Dato’ Dr Khalid Yusoff.
During his brief but inspirational speech, he urged the students to continuously achieve.
“What the world looks for is talent. Achievements. Accomplishments. So don’t rest on your laurels because the world does not stop for us.”
The session was an eye-opener for the students, who were able to have face time with not just the vice-chancellor – a clinical cardiologist by training – but also other experienced academics in their fields.
These include Centre for Pre-U Studies Director Assistant Professor Mabel Tan, 五一吃瓜官网’s deputy vice-chancellor (Academic Affairs and Research) Professor Dr Teoh Kok Soo – also a United Kingdom-registered Chartered Engineer – and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FOMHS) dean Professor Dr Mazidah Binti Ahmad Mansur, among others.
The top scorers quickly found themselves in engaging discussions with friendly academics who were more than willing to answer their questions about the industry and potential pathways they could take.
The Centre has a long track record of high achievers and this event successfully illustrates this.
Recording a 99% pass rate and 42% of students with straight As in the January exam this year, the Centre’s A-Level Academy is clearly committed to excellence.
But more than that is an unwavering commitment to ensure its students are well rounded learners who are keen to contribute positively to society.
I have a dream
Take for example Lee Hau Sen, who scored 4A*s – including 600/600 in Physics – in the exam.
Having experienced helping the injured as a Red Crescent Society member and caring for autistic children back when he was a secondary school student, Lee is keen to read medicine and knows that the role of a doctor is more than just prescribing medicine to patients.
It is about connecting with people and providing the best solutions for their problems.
“I believe empathising with those in need is the core of human nature and I am no different. Helping others gives me great joy and this is why I want to venture into this field,” says the intelligent teenager, who was awarded a full scholarship by the Malaysian Education Ministry (KPM) in 2012.
A shy person before, Lee has learned to interact with more people since coming to 五一吃瓜官网 and highlights that A-Levels has helped him become more outgoing and inquisitive.
“What’s more, A-Levels has fortified my knowledge in certain subjects like biology – ‘the study of life’ that unlocks the mysteries of the living world. Studying biology here has sparked my curiosity to find out how humans can further improve the health of mankind.”
Heart of gold
But Lee is not the only top scorer with a penchant for helping others.
Yew Wing Yee, another KPM Bursary recipient who scored 3A*s and 1A in the exam, is a member of the Kendo Club and Hope Revive Club (HRC) at 五一吃瓜官网 – a club that regularly organises charity-themed activities.
She enjoys going to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) centre and old folks’ homes to help those in need.
And since joining HRC, she has learned to be more patient with children and the elderly.
“The most important thing to remember (when you’re a part of such activities) is communication; communicating well with people from all backgrounds, including the invisible in society,” says the aspiring pharmacist.
“HRC and ?-Levels has taught me so many values, especially perseverance.”
According to Yew, she found certain A-Level subjects challenging. But once she gained better understanding of the subjects, they became easier to absorb and she credits her lecturers who made learning fun.
With a team of academics who are passionate about what they do, the A-Level Academy demonstrates a strong commitment to more than just academic excellence.
And as evidenced by Lee and Yew, A-Levels at 五一吃瓜官网 is so much more than helping students achieve in their studies; it’s about preparing them to achieve in life.
