Public speaking contest to break stigma on Covid vaccine
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah English Aspiration Society (SEAS) recently organised virtual public speaking contest to break the stigma surrounding the Covid-19 vaccine.
The contest was participated by school children in three districts - Membakut Beaufort and Kuala Penyu.
Its final round topic “Do not worry, take the Covid vaccine”, gave the finalists the opportunity to do some research by talking to a group of people who were hesitant to take the Covid-19 vaccine, via social media.
They were required to find out what wrong information they had read, and their topic was basically to convince them to take the vaccine.
First place won by Aimyra Batrisyia binti Aimizal, while second and third place went to Husna Insyirah binti Herwan and Vellvie Jivel Jinau respectively.
The initiative was organised by London-based Sabahan neonatologist Dr Zainab Kassim and her husband, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Burhanuddin Busu.
The final round of the competition was judged by 25 juries from all over the world namely Zaharah Othman (head of judges), Dato Dr Musa Nordin, Prof Dr Zainal Abidin Sanusi, Prof Dr Effat Omar, Prof Dr Azizi Ayob, Datuk Dr Mohammad Iqbal Sarwar, Stephen Kennedy, Alice Tong, Dr Yolanda Augustin, Dr Sirhajwan Idek, Mr Mohd Damshal Datuk Ag Damit, Dr Ir Mohd Kamaruddin Bin Abdul Hamid, Maszlianie Mohd. Lan, Jamilah Samian, Ahmad Fakhri Hamzah, Ridzuan A Ghani, Aliya Ahmad Nabil, Luqman Hakim Burhanudin, Dr Ramyia Elangovan, Dr. Salina Mohd Taib, Prof Dr Rafidah Hanim, Ir Marvin Ooi, Cecelia Wan, Prof Dr Andanastuti Muchtar Buchary and Muhammad Zubayr Mohd Fauzi.
The project was supported by Maybank Asset Management and Sabah Cement as well as generous individuals who contributed to the prizes.
Aimyra of SMK St. Patrick Membakut bags home RM250 cash, a trophy and certificate, while Husna of SMK Membakut 2 receives RM200, a trophy and certificate, and Vellvie of SMK St. Patrick Membakut receives RM150, a trophy and certificate. The trophies are sponsored by Prof Dr Zainal Abidin of UIA.
Finalists also receive free audio English dictionary ‘Buku Bunyi' sponsored by Berani Speaking Group.
“I was very impressed with all three candidates. Their presentation, speech and content were excellent. They were easy to understand and all three had engaging personalities.
"Since I was asked to choose a winner, my choice had to be made on some small technical details. Overall, their presentations were very impressive. Well done to everyone,” said one of the juries, Stephen Kenny from the UK.
Information about the competition are available on SEAS's Facebook page, Sabah English Aspiration Society-SEAS.