THE Penang government today awarded RM3,000 each to three Penang students, two of whom were accepted into the prestigious Harvard University and one into the Princeton University.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow presented the cheques to Ishant Shah Atul Kumar, 19, Teoh Li Yen, 20, and Chun Siew Li @ Tang Siew Li, who represented her son Herman Leong Xin Yang, 20, at a simple ceremony in Komtar.
“We are proud to reward them as this will be a catalyst for them to eye more success in the future.
“They have made the country and Penang proud through their respective achievements,” Chow said in his speech.
Ishant and Xin Yang were accepted into Harvard University while Li Yen has made it to Princeton University.
Ishant and Xin Yang were among a record-breaking six Malaysian students who were accepted into the prestigious undergraduate school at Harvard University.
Ishant, who will finish his Canadian Matriculation International Programme (CMIP) in June, will start his studies in Harvard in November and decide on his course the following year.
For Xin Yang, he will pursue a course in molecular and cellular biology, while for Li Yen, she will take up a course in engineering.
Both Ishant and Li Yen are Penang’s state squash players.
Ishant thanked the state for the incentive given to him.
“I am grateful and I 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.
Li Yen 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.
Chun, 46, said she was proud of her son’s achievement.
“The state must be lauded for the recognition given to the students.
“I am happy that my son is selected by the prestigious school,” she said, adding that her son’s interests are mainly in Chinese orchestra, chess and piano.
Also present were state Social Development and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Chong Eng, state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Soon Lip Chee, Penang State Sports Council (PSSC) director Harry Chai, Squash Rackets Association of Penang (SRAP) president Datuk Lim Tiong Chin, SRAP vice-president Linda Geh, Ishant’s mother Bharati Suresh Chand and Li Yen’s mother Lim Bee Ling.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Alissala Thian