KUCHING: Twenty top Form Five students of St Joseph Private School (SJPS) Kuching have received Naim Foundation Academic Excellence Awards.
Naim’s Chief Operating Officer for Strategic Planning and New Businesses, Bryan Chen, who is also an alumnus of SJPS, said he was proud that the school had continued with its tradition of harnessing the potential of students and helping them to be the best they can be.
“Our message to students is simple: work hard, persevere, and reach for the stars. The award is more to recognise the hard work of the students in their pursuit of academic excellence.
“This event is also meaningful to me personally as much as it is for the students. It’s indeed great to be back at my old school. Once a Josephian, always a Josephian!” he said during the school’s graduation ceremony recently.
The principal of SJPS, Francis Lim Chin Choy, lauded Naim for reaching out to the local community and recognising students for their academic performance.
“We are grateful to be part of the Naim Foundation’s Academic Excellence Awards programme.
“As our school caters to all regardless of economic or academic background, the awards serve as a great motivator for our students, encouraging them to be do better in their studies,” he said.
Chong Jia Chern, the valedictorian of the graduating class of 2020, expressed his gratitude for the award.
“I am surprised and thankful that my hard work is recognised by Naim. I will continue with my A levels at St Joseph International School and after that I would like to study engineering in in Singapore,” he said.
Another top student, Sean Tan Huan Zhi, will also continue with his A level. He aspires to earn a chemical engineering degree overseas.
As for Steve Alastair Beti Beraik he feels that engineering is his calling.
“I will continue with my foundation studies and then pursue an engineering degree via a twinning programme if possible,” he said.
Another award winner, Tan Ik Xuan, aspires to become a lawyer in the future and would like to read law as he wants to help people.
“I will do the foundation studies in a college in Kuala Lumpur and later continue my legal studies overseas, if possible. I’m thankful for the award as it motivates me to do the best I can,” he said.
An art enthusiast, Lim Yu Jie, said she would like to further her studies in fashion and graphic designs.
“Art has always been my passion and it is something that I would enjoy doing for the rest of the life. Thank you Naim, for recognising my efforts!” she said.
Naim Foundation, the charitable arm of Naim Group of Companies, launched the awards in 2016 with the objective of driving the culture of academic excellence and rewarding well-rounded learners, and in the spirit of ‘giving back’ to the communities.
Currently, 36 schools in Sarawak are under the programme.
