The Creativity and Innovation essay-writing competition saw 10 creative student writers receive scholarships worth RM 400,000 from Limkokwing University College of Creative Technology.

The essay writing competition, aptly titled “Creativity & Innovation” is a collaboration between Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, International House Malaysia and The News Straits Times.

The award presentation ceremony, held in Limkokwing University’s Hall of Fame on December 8, 2006 saw a total of 90 school students receiving their awards from Senior Vice President of Limkokwing University, Prof. Gail Phung for their outstanding and creative essays.

Expressing delight on the student’s achievements in her address speech, Prof. Gail explained that Limkokwing University has set up International House as its language arm to be the driving force in the industry to raise the standards in written and spoken English. She added that the competition is a platform for students to illustrate their capabilities and express their passions through the different topics given.

“The winners, sitting in our midst, have shown potential to be creative engines of our future. These scholarships are an encouragement for them to actively pursue their dreams of achieving their creative potential. Limkokwing University is a place where we nurture the creative minds of tomorrow.”

The competition, which took place between February and April 2006 was aimed at identifying talented writers in upper secondary school students. Almost 1000 entries were received from students across the country. The essays were judged based on originality, language use and presentation of ideas.

The essays received impressed the panel of judges for its high standard of the English language making them the top ten deserving gold award winners and equally, recipients of the silver and bronze award prize.

The students who won are from various top secondary schools in the country but SMJK Katholik PJ produced the most winners - three.

Another 30 Silver award winner’s will each receive an all-expenses-paid week-long Academic English Course at the International House Malaysia, Cyberjaya. The following 50 bronze award prize winners will receive 20% scholarships from Limkokwing, while schools with winning entries will receive a year’s supply of the NST.

Also present at the event was Mary Chandapillai, Manager, NIE Unit of The News Straits Times Group. She explained that the Essay Competition was an interesting collaboration from the point of view of the interest it generated in teachers and students alike. She also added that it was encouraging to note the trouble students attempt at different essay styles to express themselves.

“For the New Straits Times, this was a key consideration that students get to practice the written from of language within the framework of syllabus requirement.”