DISTED COLLEGE NEWS
30 October 2009

JPA scholarships for SAM top achievers

2 DISTED College students who attained flying colours in the South Australian Matriculation examination last year have been awarded Malaysian government scholarships for undergraduate studies.

Jo-ey Toh Kar Yien with SAM TER 91.25 received the JPA scholarship for pursuing pharmacy.

“I’m so happy over the good news. The scholarship gives me the great opportunity to complete the degree in UK at University of Nottingham after the first 2 years of study at the university’s branch campus in Malaysia.

“The award covers full tuition fees with monthly living allowances locally and in Britain,” said Jo-ey, a former SMK Convent Green Lane student with SPM 10As.

“As I’m very keen in biology and chemistry, pharmacy is my obvious choice for higher education. I intend to venture into community pharmacy one day,” she said.

She has fond memories of her SAM studies at the college.

“Besides having a conducive environment, DISTED has nice, helpful and friendly lecturers with whom I could get close.

“Through the encouragement and efforts of Ms Angel Lai, the biology lecturer, I got the chance to broaden my learning experience by participating in the Penang Floral Fest and activities organized by the Malaysian Nature Society,” she said.

“Coursework makes SAM an exciting pre-university programme where I honed communication and people skills through project work and presentation,” Jo-ey said.

SAM top achiever (TER 94.60) and JPA scholar Lee Chang Thai  (left) sharing a happy moment with DISTED School of Pre-University Studies head Dr Teo Soon Beng.

Lee Chang Thai savoured a proud moment when he bagged TER 94.60 in the SAM examination.  

He received the JPA scholarship to read a medical degree at Monash University Malaysia. 

“Coursework makes learning interesting in SAM. It hones useful skills through activities such as report writing and oral presentation,” he said.  

 “My SAM lecturers spent time to help students beyond the class hours. They also interact through e-mail to assist students. 

Rejoicing over their excellent achievements in SAM are (from left) Lee Jo Ann (TER 90.65), Jo-ey Toh Kar Yien (TER 91.25), Lee Chang Thai (TER 94.60) and Tan Jay Wyn (TER 97.65).