IT was a proud moment for high achiever Melwin Cheng and his parents when they met Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at his office in Komtar today.
Melwin, 20, has secured a seat to study at Stanford University, in the USA, which is one of the prestigious higher learning institutions in the world.
To honour Melwin on his achievement, the state government presented him RM3,000 as well as awarded him with a certificate of recognition.
During the meet up, Chow congratulated Melwin and also his parents for the remarkable accomplishment.
Melwin will be leaving for the USA in the middle of September to pursue his Bachelor of Biology, which is a four-year course.
“Actually, when I got to know that I had gained admission to Stanford University, I was truly shocked.
“And I would say that this is a testament to all my hard work as well as to those who supported me throughout.
“Besides feeling proud, I am incredibly thankful to my parents and my aunt who took care of me,” Melwin told Buletin Mutiara.
In addition to his academic achievements, Melwin, a former student of SMJK Chung Ling, possesses musical talent.
He was previously part of his school band as a clarinet player and had also joined the Penang Philharmonic Winds.
Meanwhile, Melwin’s parents, Cheng Kah Keong and Lee Lay Peng, were brimming with happiness.
Cheng and Lee said that they are thankful to the Malaysian government for sponsoring their son’s studies.
“Stanford University is considered the second most expensive university in the world, and we definitely would not be able to support our son’s studies there.
“There are no words to describe it, we just would like to convey our gratitude to the government.
“Melwin desires to come back and serve our country,” they said.
It is learned that Melwin is a scholarship recipient of Yayasan Khazanah.
One of his accolades is that he and his team member emerged champions in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2019 held in the USA, in the chemistry category.
Melwin also shared that he also got the opportunity to present his innovation project to former NASA astronaut Charles Bolden.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat