Penang student tops in Adelaide

Sarawak Tribune - Mon, 2 Sept 2002 - Page 9

DOING MALAYSIA PROUD AT ADELAIDE... The top Malaysian students in Adelaide (from left) Sophia Ting of Sibu, Irwan Horhaddi of Kuala Lumpur amd John Kweh Teik Suan are pictured with former State Governor of South Australia Sir Eric Neil and the Australia-Malaysia Business Council president Chan Wee Kiat after receiving cash awards at a dinner in Adelaide attended by about 360 people here today. BERNAMA pic

ADELAIDE - John Kweh Teik Suan from Penang was judged the best Malaysian student in Adelaide when was awarded the Patron's (Sir Eric Neal) Merdeka Award at a glittering National Day dinner at the Hilton Hotel yesterday night.

Kweh, a final-year Bachelor of Management (Honours) student, was also voted the best Malaysian student at the University of South Australia.

Irwan Norhaddi, of Bandar One Utama, Kuala Lumpur, who is in his final year of a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) course was judged the best Malaysian student at the University of Adelaide while Sophia Ting of Sibu, Sarawak, a final-year Bachelor of Arts student was selected the best Malaysian student at Flinders University.

All three students received A$1,000 each and a placement of four weeks work experience with leading Adelaide companies.

The awards were hosted by the Australia-Malaysia Business Council (AMBC), South Australia Chapter. The dinner was attended by about 360 people.

AMBC president Chan Wee Kiat said the recipients of the awards had demonstrated outstanding academic achievements and had shared their experiences with the Australian community.

"They had to demonstrate that they had personal qualities and attributes that will enable them to act as South Australian ambassadors when they return to Malaysia," he said.

Chan, an accountant, said Sir Eric, a former South Australian State Governor, had been a long-standing supporter of the Malaysian community in Adelaide, especially the students.

Meanwhile, Malaysian High Commissioner to Australia Mohamed Arshad Hussain and his wife, Tunku Suria Tunku Ismail, attended a dinner organised by the Malaysian consul in Sydney, Abdul Rahman Salim, and Malaysian students in New South Wales to mark the National Day.

In Melbourne, about 160 people attended a cocktail party hosted by AMBC, Victoria Chapter.

The High Commission in Canberra will host a function on Monday while the Malaysian students in Queensland are planning a gala dinner next Saturday to celebrate Malaysia's 45th birthday.