GEORGE TOWN – The state government has awarded cash prizes and certificates to three Penang students who won places to study in Ivy League universities.
Ishant Shah and Herman Leong Xin Yang, who have received places at Harvard University, and Teoh Liyen, who will be attending Princeton University in New Jersey, received RM3,000 in cash each from Chief Minister Chow Kon Keow yesterday.
Chow said the three students from Penang were saluted for making Penang and Malaysia proud with their excellent performance in their studies.
“The state’s reward for the students will ignite their spirit to go forth and succeed in future,” he said during the event at his office in Komtar.
Also present was state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee and state Social Development and Non-Muslim Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng.
Leong, 20, was represented by his mother Chun Siew@Tang Siew Li as Leong is currently pursuing a Public Service Department’s diploma course at Kolej Yayasan UEM in Shah Alam, Selangor.
Ishant and Leong were among the six Malaysian students accepted into Harvard’s prestigious undergraduates’ school and will be part of the incoming Harvard college class of 2026.
They plan to pursue their studies in a wide range of fields including astrophysics, economics and public policy, politics, and sociology.
Ishant, a former student of SK Minden Heights and SMK Bukit Jambul, will finish his Canadian Matriculation International Programme in June, and will start his studies in Harvard in November. He will decide on his course the following year.
“Obtaining a place in Harvard University was my motivation. I may take up biopharmacology and sports medicine.
“I am grateful to the state and wish to express my sincere appreciation to my parents, coaches, and friends for their motivation and support. I hope to become a professional squash player in the future,” he said.
His mother Bharati Suresh Chand, who was present at the event, said he will be the first Harvard student from the Gujarati community in Malaysia, and he has made the community proud.
Chun said that her son Leong will pursue a course in molecular and cellular biology, while Teoh will take up a course in engineering.
“My son is very happy to obtain a place in Harvard University as it was his first choice while applying for universities,” she said
Both Ishant and Teoh are squash players for Penang.
Teoh said she is also looking forward to playing squash after enrolling into Princeton University.
“I will do my best in the next four years there,” she said.
Harvard College alumnus Wan Nadiah Wan Mohd Abdullah Yaakob said until recently, Malaysia had sent two students per year at most, sometimes none.
“We are thrilled that a record-breaking five Malaysian students were accepted to Harvard College in a single year,” she said in a statement on Saturday. – The Vibes, April 9, 2022
