It was a meaningful day for Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science (LKC FES) Bachelor of Science (Honours) Software Engineering students Thanirmalai Nagappan Sehgar and Tee Mun Xuan; and Faculty of Science (FSc) Bachelor of Science (Honours) Chemistry student Renee Claire Voon Zi-Yin as they were granted the Panasonic Scholarship Award at the 2023 Panasonic Scholarship Award Ceremony on 5 December 2023.

Currently pursuing his study in the field of Software Engineering at UTAR Sungai Long Campus, Thanirmalai Nagappan Sehgar learned about the Panasonic scholarship through the UTAR Portal website. He expressed his gratitude to Panasonic, saying, “I extend my deepest gratitude to Panasonic for providing not just financial support but also for believing in the potential of young individuals like me. Panasonic’s investment in education is not just a contribution to my academic journey; it is an investment in the future, empowering me to pursue my dreams and make a positive impact in my community and beyond.”

Thanirmalai Nagappan also shared his afterthought on the application and screening processes for the scholarship. He found them to be both challenging and rewarding. “Being shortlisted for the scholarship marked a significant milestone for me. Crafting a compelling application required introspection and articulation of my achievements, aspirations, and the impact I hope to make in the IT field. Nonetheless, the main challenge I faced throughout the application process was managing the balance between academic commitments and the rigorous preparation required for each stage. The process demanded time management, resilience, and the ability to stay focused on my long-term goals,” said Thanirmalai Nagappan.

“From this experience, I gained invaluable skills that extend beyond academics. The journey taught me the importance of self-reflection, effective communication, and the ability to articulate my goals and aspirations with clarity. Besides that, the online and physical interviews also enhanced my confidence and refined my ability to present myself professionally,” Thanirmalai Nagappan shared.

Tee Mun Xuan, who is currently pursuing her study in the field of Software Engineering at UTAR Sungai Long Campus, discovered the scholarship opportunity via email. She mentioned that the scholarship caught her attention, as it resonates deeply with her aspirations and academic pursuits. She thanked Panasonic for providing the financial aid and said, “To Panasonic, your generosity, support and belief have paved the way for my academic career. I greatly appreciate it with all my heart because your support ends my financial problems, enabling me to pursue my dreams without constraints. Your belief motivates me to excel and persist in my academic journey.”

Similarly, Tee also found the application and screening processes for the scholarship to be challenging yet rewarding. She said, “Being interviewed by the esteemed interviewers was an introspective journey, as it allowed me to articulate my goals and passions eloquently. Meanwhile, the advice I received through the interviews allowed me to have a clearer picture of my future career and fuelled my determination towards achieving my goals. Challenges did emerge along the way, though most of them revolved around my own doubts and the pressure to stand out among a pool of exceptionally capable applicants. Not to mention, it was difficult to juggle time commitment between the application process and academic obligations due to the imminent examinations and the impending deadlines for assignments. However, these challenges fuelled my determination to present the best version of myself in the interviews.”

“Through the application process, I acquired invaluable insights and skills. It improved my ability to articulate my aspirations concisely and guided me in sharpening my skills and knowledge of my field. All in all, the experience taught me the significance of perseverance in pursuing opportunities,” Tee added.

UTAR congratulates all scholarship recipients and wishes them the best in their academic pursuits and future endeavours.

Panasonic Scholarship Programme

Established in 1998, the Panasonic Scholarship Programme aims to foster young talents to lead Asia in the 21st century. In 2014, Panasonic widened its support and scholarship opportunities to students who wish to further their study in the field of science and engineering in their local higher educational institutions. The Panasonic Scholarship Asia Programme mainly provides scholarship opportunities to nine economies and regions in Asia, including Indonesia, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, China, and Cambodia.