St Elizabeth student wins RM50,000 scholarship
SIBU: SMK St Elizabeth student Esther Sia Siew Zhen has won the national-level Malaysian Institute of Accountants ( MIA) Sunway TES Accounting quiz to receive an RM50,000 Sunway College scholarship.
She defeated 5,072 students in the competition.
The grand final was held at the college’s campus in Kuala Lumpur in August.
During the prize- giving ceremony at the school yesterday, Sia received her prize money, trophy, and certificate from MIA Sarawak regional office head Eleanor Shim and Sunway College Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and Certified Accounting Technician programmes head Lum Pey Wah.
In her speech, Shim said as of last month MIA had 34,043 registered members – 53 per cent or 17,945 of whom were women.
“Approximately 6 per cent or 2,006 from the total members are from Sarawak,” she said.
She pointed out there is an acute shortage of qualified accountants in Malaysia, although it is one of the most in- demand professions globally and almost surely recession proof.
“It also offers flexibility and versatility whereby they may start off with accountancy but they will enjoy unlimited career progression options.
“Many accountants have moved on to take bigger roles as general manager, chief executive officer, chief financial officer of multinational companies. Hence it is no surprise that accountancy is one of the top 10 highest paying jobs in Malaysia,” she said.