UTAR students share ICT passion with others

UNIVERSITI Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) students Vico Vicknesh and Derek

Chan from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (FICT),

won first prize at the inaugural Microsoft Student Ambassador Award.

The award was presented by Microsoft Malaysia at the 2nd Microsoft

Student Ambassador Boot Camp held at a Petaling Jaya hotel.

The award presented in December was in recognition of the contributions

and achievements of Microsoft Student Ambassadors (MSA).

The determinants for success were based on the number of events

organised by the Student Ambassadors (technical talks, seminars,

contests), how far their peers benefited from the events, and the student

ambassadors' contributions beyond their campuses.

Tan Teik Boon, a FICT lecturer who recommended the students for this

programme, shares in their joy.

"I am pleased with their achievements as this is the first time

Microsoft has presented this award and our students have won it. This is

memorable. They deserved it for their efforts and dedication as

ambassadors. They did an excellent job in promoting the awareness of

Microsoft technology not only at UTAR but in other institutions of higher

learning," Tan said.

Lai Hoong Fai, academic programmes advisor with Microsoft Malaysia,

said Vico and Chan possessed the qualities student ambassadors should

have.

"They are passionate about technology, committed to the cause, and

willing to share their experiences with other MSAs," Lai added.

Vico, a final-year Computer Science student, said: "The passion of our

audience is the most satisfying reward. At the end of the day, what

really matters is whether we have delivered the information to our peers."

The programme is part of Microsoft's goal to drive the national agenda

for higher learning, producing industry-class graduates and raising

Malaysia's competitiveness by preparing the country for the knowledge

economy.

Vico and Chan are among the pioneer participants from 12 public and

private institutions of higher learning taking part in the programme.

MSA is a group of students who is passionate about technology and wants

to share its knowledge with its peers.

Lai said: "Both Vico and Derek have reached out to over 2,100 students

in fewer than 10 months through events, online communities and

competitions at UTAR, other universities and colleges including UPM, UM,

MMU, KDU and APIIT.

Chan, a second-year Computer Science student, said: "The MSA programme

trained us to speak in public, manage our time and learn how to organise

events."

Vico said: "Apart from the opportunity to network with students and

people from the industries, we have been exposed to see technologies in

the real world." For details, tel: 03- 79582628/ 016-2233559; email:

dam@mail. utar.edu.my; or log on to: www. utar.edu.my

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