Malaysian students applauded
By Charlotte Knottenbelt
Two UniSA students have been awarded prestigious Merdeka Awards by the Australian Malaysia Business Council.
The awards are presented each year to outstanding Malaysian students in their final year of study in South Australia, and this year UniSA students won two of the three awards.
Wai Lam Chong and Merene Hwang were each presented with a certificate and a $1000 prize by Sir Eric Neal at a ceremony held as part of the AMBC’s annual dinner at the Adelaide Convention Centre.
As Merdeka winners, Wai Lam and Merene will be asked to act as ‘ambassadors’, helping to further relationships between South Australia and Malaysia.
Merene, who is in her final year studying for a Bachelor of Applied Science (Chemistry and Chemical Process Technology) at UniSA said that winning the award was a “great encouragement.”
“I’d like to thank my lecturers and my family for all the support they’ve given me,” she said.
Wai Lam, a pharmacy student whose honours research has focused on Chinese medicine in SA, said he was happy to help promote South Australia as a destination for other international students.
“I’ve loved studying in South Australia – my lecturers have been very supportive, and what I’ve really enjoyed has been meeting a lot of people from so many different backgrounds,” he said.