FOUR MALAYSIAN STUDENTS WIN 2017 BRITISH COUNCIL IELTS PRIZE TO PURSUE THEIR DREAMS OF STUDYING OVERSEAS
Studying overseas is a dream for many students in Malaysia. With the aim of connecting people with learning opportunities, the British Council launched the IELTS Prize in 2011. Since then, it has helped a total of 170 students in the East Asia region gain entry into universities around the world. This year, 36 prize winners will be added to the list. The award presentation ceremony in Malaysia was held at InterContinental Kuala Lumpur on 26 July 2017. Each of the local prize winners received a prize valued at RM12,000. In addition to the local awards, the British Council also awarded three regional prizes to top students in the East Asia region, who will be entering their dream universities overseas.
Three students from Malaysia won the local IELTS Prize. One of the local prize winners, Mohamed Aizuddin Hilmi Mohamed Anuar accepted an offer from the University of Oxford and commented that winning the IELTS Prize is a testament to the rigorous assessment of English proficiency. He said, ‘It is crucial to thrive in an academic environment in the UK. This win is no doubt a great confidence boost for me to effectively communicate with and learn from my classmates and peers from all around the world once I head to the UK. This would not have been possible without the financial support from the British Council.’
Sue Yen Chong, the Regional Grand Prize winner from Malaysia, received multiple offers from UK universities and thinks that IELTS enabled her to accomplish her goals and embark on new challenges, ‘Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined winning a scholarship that would enable me to further my studies overseas. This prize means so much more to me than just relieving a financial burden, but helping me to bridge my aspirations and reality. I am extremely grateful to the British Council for granting me this priceless opportunity of pursuing architecture abroad.’
‘As an international English proficiency test, IELTS has grown its popularity with over 2.9 million of tests taken in 2016, and is now recognised by over 10,000 organisations, including universities, employers and immigration authorities worldwide.’ said Greg Selby, Director Examinations, Examinations Services, East Asia. ‘We are pleased that our wide international acceptance and the IELTS Prize are helping more students in East Asia to pursue further study overseas.’
As an IELTS official test centre, the British Council provides full support in preparing students for the IELTS test, including Road to IELTS, specially designed online practice materials for registered students, and the access to different preparation materials. Test sessions are organised at least three times a month for greater flexibility. For more details, please visit www.ieltsasia.org/my.
*The East Asia region includes Hong Kong/Macau, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.