PB Top Achiever Award e-Ceremony

Public Bank Berhad and UTAR presented the PB Top Achiever Award to students from two faculties, namely Faculty of Accountancy and Management (FAM) and Faculty of Business and Finance (FBF). The PB Top Achiever Award e-Ceremony was held on 25 August 2021 via Microsoft Teams.

A total of six UTAR graduates were selected as the award winners of PB Top Achiever Award. They were Law Xin Wei, Tan Shu Qing and Eliza Siak Jie Ying from FAM; Wong Suet Yee, Ooi Yee Chern and Law Yen Thong from FBF. These graduates were the first group of recipients to receive this award.

The PB Top Achiever Award is given once a year and these exceptional graduates are selected by academic assessment based on their CGPA results and soft skills points. The shortlisted candidates will also be interviewed by the interview committee.

Also present at the e-ceremony were Public Bank Berhad Senior Knowledge and Learning Division General Manager Koay Seok Khim, Public Bank Berhad Human Capital Management Division General Manager Mary Ng Poh Lyn and Public Bank Berhad Business Enhancement and Service Design Head Dennis Lai Koah Vui. They were welcomed by UTAR President Ir Prof Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Registrar Yim Lin Heng, FAM Dean Dr Sia Bee Chuan, FBF Dean Assoc Prof Dr Au Yong Hui Nee, deputy deans, directors, award recipients and UTAR staff.

Prof Ewe expressing his gratitude to Public Bank Berhad

Prof Ewe expressed his gratitude to Public Bank Berhad and said, “This award is made possible through the support and initiative of Public Bank and Ms Koay Seok Khim and her team. On behalf of UTAR, I would like to express my heartiest appreciation to Ms Koay, her team and Public Bank for coming forward during these difficult times of the pandemic to provide this award and financial incentive in recognition of the students’ academic achievements. The pandemic has made students’ learning experience more challenging. They have to rely on technology to study online and have to be more independent without the physical meetings with friends and lecturers in class. So, it is even more significant for these students when they excel in their studies and a reward such as this by Public Bank is truly appreciated.”

He congratulated the recipients and said, “For the award recipients from the Faculty of Accountancy and Management and the Faculty of Business and Finance, we hope that this Public Bank award will encourage you to excel further to be even better and to eventually contribute back to society when you commence your career later on. Do not forget this day, the recognition and the financial reward given by Public Bank in support of your academic efforts.”

Koay welcoming all UTAR graduates to be part of the Public Bank family

Impressed with the quality of education provided by UTAR, Koay said, “Congratulations to the top winners of the PB Top Achiever Award. As one of the member of judges, I am very impressed by the quality of your presentation. Indeed you have made the judging process a difficult one as the margin among the candidates was very fine. The quality exhibited by all the candidates is the reflection of the quality of education UTAR offers. Public Bank and UTAR share a common trait as both of the organisation inspire for excellence and this pursuit of excellence forges the collaboration between Public Bank and UTAR. Congratulations UTAR, you had done the nation proud!”

“I would like to share some advice from our Founder and Chairman Tan Sri Teh Hong Piow. He has always said that young leaders must have passion for work, be disciplined and consistent in all their action to avoid being trapped in the realm of mediocrity. Although this pandemic had brought a lot of economic hardship and loss of life, we must always be mindful that in every adversity there is an opportunity. It is very important for us to remain resilient and optimistic as tough times don't last, but tough people do. And I would like to say we in Public Bank welcome all graduates to be part of the Public Bank family,” she added.

The winners of PB Top Achiever Award are as follows:

Award winners from the Faculty of Accountancy and Management 

Award winners from the Faculty of Business and Finance 

The first place winners Law Xin Wei from FAM and Wong Suet Yee from FBF walked away with a cash prize of RM2,500, an award certificate and a plaque each.

Law Xin Wei (top) and Wong

Accountancy graduate Law Xin Wei thanked Public Bank Berhad and UTAR for granting her the PB Top Achiever Award. She said, “I sincerely thank all the lecturers and tutors for teaching and guiding me along my programme of study. Their dedication has helped me to get to this stage and now I can proudly hold up this award as part of my achievement. Thank you UTAR for providing support in terms of facilities and resources especially during the pandemic period. I am honestly grateful for the University’s continuous effort in providing access to online resources, workshops and webinars. On a closing note, I would like to advise, ‘Always follow your passion and never give up’.”

Financial Economics graduate Wong said, “I am overjoyed and grateful to be able to get the first place. This actually feels like a dream to me. Thank you UTAR for nominating me for this award as well as Public Bank for sponsoring this award. A special thanks to my family for their encouragement and support. This award serves as a chance for me to continue to work harder and strive better in the future.”

The second place winners Tan Shu Qing from FAM and Ooi Yee Chern from FBF walked away with a cash prize of RM1,500, an award certificate and a plaque each.

Tan (top) and Ooi

Accountancy graduate Tan jumped for joy when she received an email notifying her that she was chosen to be one of the award recipients. She enthused, “This award means a lot to me especially after four years of studying with the most challenging final year taking place amidst the pandemic situation. I would like to thank my faculty for recommending me as one of the shortlisted recipients for the PB Top Achiever Award. I am also grateful to Public Bank and my alma mater, UTAR for awarding me this honour. This award is definitely a milestone for my academic journey.”

Financial Economics graduate Ooi was honoured to be one of the recipients of PB Top Achiever Award. He said, “I appreciate UTAR and Public Bank for nominating me and I also would like to thank all the lecturers, my family and friends for supporting me in my study.”

The third place winners Eliza Siak Jie Ying from FAM and Law Yen Thong from FBF walked away with a cash prize of RM1,000, an award certificate and a plaque each.

Eliza Siak (top) and Law Yen Thong

Accountancy graduate Eliza Siak said, “Thank you Public Bank and UTAR! I am truly honoured to receive this award. This is not only a wonderful end note for my university life but also a confirmation of my past effort in academic and curriculum. I would also like to thank all my lecturers who had guided me along my academic year. I also thank my parents for always being there for me through thick and thin. This award will keep motivating me to fight harder for a brighter future.”

Finance graduate Law Yen Thong expressed, “I feel very proud and happy because my hard work has finally paid off and my effort is finally recognised. This award is not only a recognition but also motivation to excel in my life. I thank my faculty - FBF for nominating me for this award, and also Public Bank for providing this award to recognise the students’ effort.”

The virtual ceremony ended with a group photo session.

Prof Ewe (fourth row, far left), Koay (second row, second from left), Mary Ng (second row, far right), Dennis Lai (fourth row, second from left) with some of the winners from PB Top Achiever Award