Posted on May 9, 2012, Wednesday
by Mary Francis, reporters@theborneopost.com.
SARAWAK’S PRIDE: Marcus (second right) with Kho (in black coat) and Jap (right). At left is Professor Kuniyaki Kitagawa.
MIRI: Jap Xin Yi and Kho Boon Kie did SMK Lutong (SMKL) and the state proud when they won first places in the ‘Best Presentation Skill’ and ‘Research Poster Presentation’ categories in the just-concluded 4th Apec Future Scientist Conference.
It was an international achievement and a glorious pride to behold.
Making the achievement more meaningful was the fact that the school was the only one from Sarawak selected to the competition which was held in Semarang, Indonesia.
The Duniaku Pintar Semarang (DKP), Indonesia and Apec (Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit) Mentoring Centre for the Gifted in Science (AMGS), Republic of Korea hosted the event.
It was supported by the Ministry of Research and Technology, Indonesia and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as well as the Gyeongnam Provincial Government of Korea.
Jap and Kho were accompanied by SMKL principal Marcus Hugo Matu Lejau who participated in a workshop called ‘Mentoring Programmes in Education’.
“We are proud indeed of the international achievement in the conference.
“Jap and Kho were pitted against the best students from various countries, nevertheless, they were able to exude great confidence despite coming from a humble school background,” he said proudly of the two students.
Marcus said the conference was held to foster positive cooperation for gifted students in Science and scientists in order to enhance human capacity and network.
The theme was ‘The Science of Water’.
Among the main activities was the Research Poster Presentation; the purpose of which was to present the result of a mentoring research and the construction of a model based on how to solve water problems.
Both fifth formers in Science Stream, Jap and Kho won the gold medal in the team work category. Jap also won the ‘Best Presenter Award’ in the individual category.
They had to work together with other participants from 16 different countries.
The students were selected after they joined the Cyber Mentoring Research Activity for gifted students in Science.
They had to meet up with the mentors, comprising professors from Japan and USA, online.
According to Marcus, Jap was chosen as the best mentee and Kho as the second best mentee and their prizes included participation in the Apec Conference.
“They were among a six-member delegation from Malaysia,” the principal said.
