KUCHING: A retired contractor could not hold back his tears after learning that his daughter, Sonia Tay Yee has been offered a scholarship by the Sarawak government to further her studies at a degree level.
Tay Yee, a Diploma in Accountancy graduate of Politeknik Kuching Sarawak (PKS), is a recipient of three award namely, Academic and Co-curricular Excellence Award for PKS 2021/2022 Session, PKS’s Director Award as well as the Special Industry Award during the 30th convocation ceremony of PKS held at Imperial Hotel today.
In congratulating her, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state government is ready to offer scholarship to Sonia.
“Earlier, I had asked Sonia whether she wanted to continue her studies at a higher learning institution and she said she would want to.
“Therefore, we will give her a scholarship through Yayasan Sarawak to continue her studies either at a local university or any other university that she has applied through Unit Pengambilan Universiti (UPU),” he said.
Abang Johari added if Sonia could not enter a university that she has applied through the UPU, the state government would offer the latter to further her studies at the state-owned universities either at Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak (Swinburne Sarawak) in Kuching or University of Technology Sarawak in Sibu.
Later, the 22-year-old Sonia, who is a Chinese-Iban from Pantu, Sri Aman said she was grateful for the offer by the Sarawak government, especially from the Premier.
“I will accept the offer to continue my studies at (Swinburne Sarawak) or UTS if I do not get a placement at the local university through the UPU application.
“So far, I have applied to continue my degree at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and others,” she said.
Earlier, Sonia’s 62-year-old father, Tay Choon Cheng, a retired contractor and one of her elder sisters Tay Hui Yan, a school counsellor at SK Serian joined the latter on stage to receive the scroll and respective awards from Abang Johari.
Sonia, is the fourth child among five siblings – all girls. They currently live in Kuching.
“I come from a moderate family, and they have supported me in my studies and life which I’m very grateful for.
“My 86-year-old grandmother is my role model. She has looked after me and my sisters well and has given us so much encouragement to always strive to do our best,” he said.
Sonia, who has always loved mathematics since young, said she aspires to be a successful accountant one day.
When asked about her academic achievements, she said most importantly was to know how to divide time wisely.
“Also, is to be active in extracurricular activities and join associations or clubs which could help shape us,” she said.
