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EVENTS
Mr Lee Weng Keng Not forgetting, Tamara Lim & Alain Yee,
Our special Panel of Oxbridge Judges – Also, my Sunway College Colleagues & Students, Then, we have with us, of course, the specially chosen students from 22 secondary schools, and their teachers, who come from all over Malaysia. Distinguished Guests, Members of the Press, Ladies & Gentlemen, A very good afternoon indeed to all of you and thank your for the pleasure of being able to share a few words with you. I speak today in two capacities - firstly as the newly- elected President of the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Malaysia, or more fondly known as the Oxbridge Society. (Remember it’s Oxbridge and not Camford as some have suggested) As a long-standing member of the Malaysian chapter of the Oxford & Cambridge Societies world-wide, I am proud to be associated with the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Malaysia, which I believe has outdone itself in organizing activities, which do not just benefit its alumni but also the nation at large. Apart from the parties we are famous for (my compatriots are squirming as I say this), we are also committed to activities which promote intellectual stimulation, such as Talks by distinguished persons, both Oxbridge and nation leaders, Debates great and small, and Community Projects, such as this annual English Language event with its flowery title of ‘An English Cornucopia’ – something for our students to go home and look up in their dictionaries? We also work hard in promoting our Malaysian students, for entry into the two great Institutions of Oxford & Cambridge, so that entry may not be so elusive. And I’m so glad to note the increasing nos., of young M’sian students who get accepted to both the Institutions each year. I remember being very involved in working to get our students interviewed locally and eventually hosting the 1st series of Cambridge interviews in Malaysia. Today, we host interviews at Sunway and some other Colleges as well, every 4th quarter of the year. My fellow Oxbridge members here today, will testify that the caliber professed, by both Oxford and Cambridge scholars, is more than just an ideal. Our commitment to educational excellence carries over, even after completion of our university experience. As you can see, we are happy to impart and share our experience and knowledge with others, especially young hopefuls vying for a spot in either of these institutions. I know for a fact that Tamara and Alain have spent countless hours in preparing their presentation and slide show for you. On a personal note, and as an educator, I share the Oxbridge Society’s zeal for wanting to play a part in nation-building. (By the way, you have to have studied at, and graduated from, either Oxford or Cambridge to qualify as an Oxbridge member. As such, we are hopeful in adding to our membership list, some, if not more, amongst you today). We all know that the strength & advancement of a nation depend on its people. Therefore to develop the nation, we have to develop its people…..its youth. In light of this, we are pleased to be in this yearly collaboration with Sunway College on this English Language enhancement project, which sees us directly working to help develop the Youth of Malaysia and inspire them to think Big & Great – to think Oxford & Cambridge! It has also provided the Society with a direct
avenue to reinforce the Malaysian Government’s call
for Malaysian students to increase their English Language
proficiency. Oral Communication and Effective Writing Skills are both very essential, especially as you move on to higher studies, career and later life. Dear students, ladies & gentlemen, At this point, please allow me the privilege to address you in my other capacity, as the Principal of Sunway College. It is our honour and pleasure to host the English Cornucopia, The Oxford and Cambridge Society English Language Event 2004. Sunway College is proud to be working hand-in-hand with The Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia towards the betterment of the quality of the English Language in Malaysia. Hosting this series of English Language workshops reinforces our commitment in preparing students to face the real world, - in which English, as the universal communication tool, is very much a measure of achievement. As much as we may not like to admit it, our mastery of English, as the lingua franca, is a reflection of how we, as Malaysians, have the ability to put our country on the World Map as a global player. This event is among the numerous English language workshops that Sunway has held. Some of our other projects include efforts into improving the use of English by hosting live-in Leadership Camps, Teachers’ English workshops, as well as organising a series of English crossword puzzles that did the rounds in the Nanyang Siang Pau, sometime last year. Who knows, if we keep at this, we may be at the precipice of producing a literary masterpiece or there may even be some of you who are potential Nobel Prize Laureates for Literature. We’ll have to ask our distinguished panel of Judges, both from the Oxbridge and Sunway sides, if they’ve spotted such potential from your written essays today. But before we get to the Essays, I just want to add that as Sunway College Principal, it gave me immense satisfaction to have launched the only one of its kind Education Club, called ClubED, earlier. ClubED is something close to my heart, that I’ve looked forward to launching for the Schools. And today is indeed an auspicious day to have done so. It is intended to put a new spin on education clubs, in that while it is in line with the Government’s call for elevated student participation in clubs and uniformed bodies, it will provide a less intense, but equally holistic approach to give students the edge to excel. The club’s objectives include cultivating in the students social values, self-esteem, responsibilities, confidence and positive thinking. We hope to carve in students a strong sense of spiritedness and to strengthen the inherent leadership qualities that they possess. You will be delighted to know that there will
be interesting and exciting indoor and outdoor activities,
especially designed for the students, to learn the aspects
of friendships, bonding and team building. On an end note, I would like to offer a special word of thanks and my sincerest gratitude to both students and teachers in particular those of you who have come from out of state. To the teachers, I say ‘thank you’ for choosing such a noble profession, and for your commitment towards your students and their overall development. Not to forget, the Organising Committee, with Margaret Hall helming the Oxbridge side and Wong Lei Lei at Sunway, who’ve been preparing for this event since last year. On that note, I will not hold you in anticipation and excitement any longer. I’m sure you’re all eager beavers - dying to find out who has most impressed the judges with your literary skills. Thank you and God Bless.
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