Thursday, September 1, 2022

Sabahan student makes top 10 list for Global Student Prize

 

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian student Alesyah Asa has been named a top 10 finalist for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2022.

The 20-year-old construction technology student from Keningau Vocational College, Sabah, is now one step closer to the US$100,000 (RM448,400) award.

The young Murut woman was recognised for her mission to inspire women to excel in traditionally male-dominated, vocational fields.

"I did not expect to be selected as one of the top 10 finalists, but I'm very happy," Alesyah said when contacted by The Star.

If she wins, Alesyah plans to use the prize money to invest in "Eureka Hub" - her science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) project which trains peers and teachers on robotics, drones, 3D printing and entrepreneurship.

She also wants to improve school infrastructure and further develop her project on tackling Covid-19 misinformation.

She added that she would conduct programmes to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to her community if she wins the prize money.

Alesyah is the sole Malaysian finalist of the prestigious student award given annually to exceptional students who made a huge impact on their peers and the society.

She was selected from over 7,000 nominations and applications from 150 countries around the world.

Chegg chief executive officer and president Dan Rosensweig said it was important to highlight Alesyah's efforts.

"Students like Alesyah deserve to have their stories told and have their voices heard. After all, we need to harness their dreams, their insights, and their creativity to tackle the daunting and urgent challenges facing our world,” he said in a statement.

Alesyah has a string of international recognitions, including winning the STEAM Chapter of The Awesome Foundation competition in the United States.

More recently, she received a Special National Day Award by the Sabah state government in conjunction with the state-level National Day celebrations here.

Alesyah was given the award by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin during the celebration at Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

The special National Day Awards was introduced by the state government this year for Sabahans who excelled at the international level, said state Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun.

He said Alesyah was picked from among 50 Sabahan youths who made Sabah proud worldwide.

The winner of the Global Student Prize is expected to be announced later in the year. - Star

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