KUCHING – A Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus undergraduate student had been awarded by two professional engineering institutions for outstanding academic achievements.
The Institution of Engineers Malaysia conferred Jong Siaw Chian with the 2014 Gold Medal Award, while the Institution of Structural Engineers presented her with the 2014 Book Prize which comes with a RM1,000 cheque.
The 23-year-old civil engineering student had scored an average of 96.8% in five structural analysis and design subjects in her final year.
The Kuching born lass attributed “determination and hard work” to winning the awards.
“I set myself a 4.0 CGPA goal to achieve each semester. This is the way I motivate myself and this is how it has been (setting a high standard) since my school days,” said the eldest of four siblings who became interested in civil engineering when she was about 12.
“I probably got it from my dad who is a sub-contractor in the construction industry.”
As a student at SMK Sungai Tapang, she had a preference for science subjects.
While pursuing her four-year degree, Jong spent much of her time at the university’s library studying and completing most of her assignments.
She also credited the teaching staff at Swinburne Sarawak, who she described as “always approachable, helpful and generous with information even on simple matters”, for her awards.
Jong completed her last semester in June this year and will graduate in October.
Her most memorable experience at university was the “wise words” from her supervisor.
“I had always thought I’ll just become an engineer after completing my studies but when I was doing my final year project, my supervisor made me realised that I could go into research in engineering. This inspired me and made me consider pursuing a PhD.”
Although her alma mater would be her first choice for postgraduate studies, she said it will have to wait as a consultancy firm in Singapore has offered her a design engineer position and she is due to start work in early November.
“It’s good to see the world first then find out what needs resolving. I could then do my doctorate on that.”
She advises students “to be determined and stay motivated, work hard and never give up”.
Ir Dr Dominic Ong, Acting Director of the Swinburne Sarawak Research Centre for Sustainable Technologies who supervised Jong, was pleased when told she had been awarded.
“I’m not surprised. It’s very seldom that I come across a student like her who could perform consistently at a high level. In fact, she performed at a master degree level,” said Ong.
The Institution of Structural Engineers with its headquarters in London is the world’s leading professional body for structural engineering. It has over 27,000 members working in 105 countries.
Established in 1959, the Institution of Engineers Malaysia promotes and advances the science and profession of engineering, and facilitates the exchange of information and ideas related to engineering.