New Straits Times

PERAK YOUTH THE EMBODIMENT OF HOLISTIC GRAD

- O.C. YEOH ocyeoh@nst.com.my

COMING from a family of profession­als, Tham Kuen Wei had a strict upbringing.

During his primary school years, the Ipoh lad would start revising the day’s lessons after his return home from school, following a short rest.

“Consistent revision is the most effective way of studying,” he said.

“I don’t believe in resorting to last-minute cramming.”

With this firm foundation in place, Tham was allowed greater independen­ce by his parents when he entered secondary school.

Now 23, Tham recently received the Royal Education Award from the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Dr Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.

This yearly award from the Kings Council of Malaysia which goes to the top student from the University of Malaya (UM) was the latest accolade earned by the high achiever.

Tham was selected based on his illustriou­s academic and intellectu­al accomplish­ments on both the national and internatio­nal fronts.

The youngest of three children from a family of accountant­s, Tham’s parents and two sisters are all in that profession; additional­ly, his father, Stanley, is a feng shui consultant as well.

Tham, however, chose to study Estate Management in UM.

From the start, Tham’s road to success had been smooth. He received his early schooling from St Michael’s Institutio­n and the Pahang Matriculat­ion College.

During that time, he achieved straight As for his UPSR, PMR, SPM and Matriculat­ion exams.

In 2011, Tham was a recipient of the Kings’ Scout Award conferred by then-Perak Crown Prince.

In UM, Tham represente­d his varsity in many internatio­nal events.

He was a member of the first team from a Malaysian university to win the Pacific Rim Real Estate Society’s (PRRES) 2015 Internatio­nal Case Competitio­n in Christchur­ch, New Zealand.

Previously, he was named Best Presenter at the 4th Royal Institutio­n of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) & Royal Institutio­n of Surveyors Malaysia (RISM) Internatio­nal Conference for Undergradu­ates, and also represente­d Malaysia in such internatio­nal English debating tournament­s as the United Asian Debating Championsh­ips in Manila and the Australasi­an Debating Competitio­n.

Being well-versed in global issues, Tham was chosen to represent Malaysia in the Biennial ASEAN Youth Leaders’ Summit in 2014.

Then last year, he triumphed at the Deloitte National Risk Intelligen­ce Challenge Trophy.

Not only was Tham an excellent academic performer, he was also heavily involved in cocurricul­ar activities.

While an undergradu­ate, he was on the Dean’s List for four terms.

Said Tham: “All undergradu­ates should fully utilise their time on campus by taking part in activities that help their academic as well as character developmen­t, mix with people from all background­s so as to learn from each other, and engage more in social and welfare-based activities.”

This he demonstrat­ed in his involvemen­t in organising the first UM-FAB Post Disaster Reconstruc­tion Mission to rebuild homes for flood victims in Kelantan, volunteere­d by rallying students to read for the visually-challenged community in UM, set up a carpooling system to reduce car congestion on campus, was involved in projects to improve faculty amenities for students, and emceed various events.

He was also the student representa­tive in the UM Student’s Council for the 2014/2015 session, was president of the National Union of Real Estate Students in 2013, president of the Real Estate Student Society of UM in 2015, and vice-director of the UM-Assumption University Real Estate Integrated Project to Thailand in 2015.

In recognitio­n of his active participat­ion and leadership excellence, the University awarded Tham its Anugerah Kecemerlan­gan Akademik Tuanku Bahiyah and Anugerah Pemimpin Gemilang Siswa in 2013 and 2014, respective­ly.

To cap it off, he received the 2016 Royal Education Award for his excellent leadership skills, co-curricular participat­ion and academic prowess.

Currently, Tham is engaged in valuation work and real estate auctions, as well as pursuing his PhD studies at UM.

 ??  ?? Than Kuan Wei being presented the Royal Education Award.
Than Kuan Wei being presented the Royal Education Award.
 ??  ?? Tham painting one of more than 3O houses for flood victims in Tumpat, Kelantan, after foundation brick- laying.
Tham painting one of more than 3O houses for flood victims in Tumpat, Kelantan, after foundation brick- laying.
 ??  ?? Team Ravenous with Tham as member wins the 2016 national level Deloitte Risk Challenge competitit­on.
Team Ravenous with Tham as member wins the 2016 national level Deloitte Risk Challenge competitit­on.
 ??  ?? Tham received the Kings’ Scout Award from the Raja Muda of Perak.
Tham received the Kings’ Scout Award from the Raja Muda of Perak.

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