SELANGOR: Two Sibu girls, Claudya Luncha Julin and Ayuna Yussoff, have made the town and Sarawak proud by receiving the Tun Abdul Razak Award and Anugerah Di Raja respectively for their excellent academic achievements during the 48th Convocation ceremony of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) on Saturday (April 3).
Claudya, 25, who hails from Taman Grand Height, Lanang, was also honoured with First Class Bachelor Degree in Education (Special Education) while Ayuna, 24, who hails from Kampung Datuk Baru, Sibu, was honoured with First Class Bachelor Degree in Law during the convocation ceremony.
Claudya is the first Iban from Sarawak to receive the Tun Abdul Razak Award from UKM while Ayuna, a Malay, is the first Sarawakian to receive Anugerah Di Raja.
According to UKM on its Facebook page, Claudya followed her father’s footsteps in choosing the education field.
“As a child, her ambition was to become a nurse but she was afraid of blood,” the university said.
It said Claudya was one of the dancers with the UKM Cultural Centre and that she held important positions in the Sarawak Children’s Association and Red Crescent.
“Her efforts for four years paid off when she was selected to receive the Tun Abdul Razak Award. This is the most precious gift from Claudya for her parents who are far away in Bumi Kenyalang (Sarawak),” the university added.
UKM also said Claudya currently served as the ‘Felo Kolej Pendeta Zaaba UKM’ and that she was continuing her studies in Bahasa Melayu.
In another post, the university said that Ayuna’s hard work also paid off when she was selected as the recipient of Anugerah Di Raja.
“Ayuna normally starts her day by praying to God as early as 2am before starting her daily activities as a student in the university.
“Without fail, she always prepares a checklist of activities to be done throughout the day,” the university said, adding that she always paid full attention during lessons.
Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research, Dr Annuar Rapaee was among those who congratulated the duo.
“The whole of Sibu is very proud of Claudya and Ayuna,” he said in a Facebook post.
Dr Annuar also revealed that he would appoint Ayuna as Nangka constituency’s Special Student Ambassador.
Also extending his congratulations to the duo was Works Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
