A course for her cause
JOURNALISM could be my chance to help the world.
This was Adeline Gooi Su Ping first thought when she “picked” journalism as her major in university.
The 21-year-old said she had always wanted to speak up and highlight the many injustices in the world.
“We are all born equal but are not treated equally,” she shared.
It was also the theme in her scholarship essay.
“In my essay, I wrote about abuse, violence, environmental rights, sexual and domestic violence.
“If I become a journalist, I don’t want to be biased towards people.
“No matter who you are born as, your sexual orientation, your colour or your creed, I will help you and I believe that this is my purpose,” said Adeline in her essay.
“I also wrote about my family’s situation and my autistic brother,” she said, adding that her brother’s condition is one of the reasons why she wants to help the marginalised.
The second year journalism student is the first recipient of the Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship.
The scholarship set up in April this year under the umbrella of the Star Education Fund and Yayasan Universiti Sains Malaysia, is in memory of Soo Ewe Jin, who after a long battle with cancer, passed away last November.
His column, Sunday Starters in the Sunday Star had garnered a large fan base throughout the years and touched the lives of many with its strong message of compassion.
The scholarship will sponsor one undergraduate every year pursuing a Bachelor in Communication (Journalism) degree at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), which is renowned for producing top-notch journalists.
The spunky student said she couldn’t believe her ears when she received a phone call from a Star Education Fund representative telling her that she would be receiving the scholarship.
It was early in the morning, and she was still groggy but the call soon woke her up from her slumber.
She immediately called her father Steven Gooi Book Khim to convey the great news.
Adeline said that the scholarship had lifted a large financial burden from her family.
With her father in the construction line and her mother staying at home to take care of her autistic brother, things haven’t been easy for the family.
Adeline will be receiving RM5,000 per semester from the scholarship until she finishes her four-year course.
USM School of Communication dean Dr Shuhaida Md Noor said Adeline stood out from the other applicants because of her ability to articulate her ideas and, more importantly, her passion to help the world.
“She also has a kind heart that shines through in her essay and interviews,” she said, adding that she was one of those in the selection committee for the scholarship.
USM deputy vice-chancellor (Student Development and Alumni) Prof Datuk Dr Adnan Hussein said: “The scholarship is for journalism students who are passionate about society. It’s not about good academic results alone.”
Soo’s widow, Angeline Lim who was present during the scholarship presentation ceremony, said Adeline will be a good example to future scholarship recipients.
“It has been so fulfilling for me to see the Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship programme taking off, and the inaugural award being presented to Adeline.”
Star Media Group managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said that “through this scholarship, deserving scholars will be among the socially conscious individuals”.
“They will be a generation of journalists with moral fibre, speaking up against injustices and fighting for the disadvantaged in society.”
Members of the public are invited to support this effort to nurture fresh talent in journalism by contributing to the Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship, via online bank transfer or cheques. For online transfers, bank into USM’s CIMB Bank Berhad account number 98986100800099 via Interbank GIRO transfer and then e-mail a copy of the deposit receipt together with your name, address and the amount donated to both Yayasan@usm.my and sejscholarship@thestar.com.my. Contributions by cheque should be made out to Universiti Sains Malaysia. Write ‘Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship’ on the back of the cheque and send it to: Soo Ewe Jin Scholarship c/o The Star Education Fund, Menara Star, 15, Jalan 16/11, 46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Include your name, address and the amount donated so that a receipt may be issued to you by USM. Donations qualify for tax exemptions. For enquiries, e-mail yayasan@usm.my or sejscholarship@thestar.com.my, or call Yayasan USM at 04-653 6761.