Pivotal Orators in the Making at Sunway

“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel”, said Ralph Waldo Emerson. Understanding the importance of speech and its impact in the world today, Sunway University and the Oxford and Cambridge Society of Malaysia for the 9th time jointly organised ‘An English Cornucopia 2011: Oxbridge English Language Event, a Public Speaking and Essay Writing Competition’ for secondary schools.

Amanda Sonia Nathan Vishnu from SMK (P) Methodist, Klang championed the public speaking competition while Mark Lester Johnson from SMK Damansara Utama emerged 1st runner-up. Not far behind was Naveen Daniel, George from Sri Kuala Lumpur International School who emerged 2nd runner-up. The finalist for the public speaking competition each presented a speech entitled ‘Shadows’ and an impromptu speech titled ‘Less is More’.

Amanda Sonia Nathan Vishnu, Mark Lester Johnson, Naveen Daniel, George and consolation prize winners (Azriel Abisheg Paul Chelliah, Jagan Narayanan Subramaniam, Lee Zhen Wei, Shaun) during the Oxbridge English Language Event.

The Essay Writing competition saw a winning entry titled, ‘All that you have is your soul’ from Ian Tan Wei Chuen from SMK USJ12 while Sharannya a/p Suresh from SMK Puteri, Seremban who wrote about ‘The law of making women dress moderately’ emerged 1st runner-up. Nur Amalina binti Khairul Anuar from SMK (P) Methodist, Klang emerged as 2nd runner-up with her essay entry on the discussion of whether ‘Parents should only have one child’. The essay writing competitors were required to choose one out of 5 topics and complete it within one hour. The top three winning essays were posted on the Sunway University and Sunway College websites.

The champions of the Public Speaking and the Essay Writing Competition walked away with full tuition bursaries up to RM 21,700 and cash prize worth RM 600 each while the 1st runners-up walked away with RM10,000 tuition fee waiver and RM 400 cash prize each. The two second runners-up was awarded RM 8,000 tuition fee waiver and RM 200 cash prize each. The 3 consolation prize winners will be awarded with RM 2,000 tuition fee waiver and RM 300 cash prize each. All winners will be able to enrol into any pre-university programmes at Sunway College. The first three winners and three consolation prize winners also received trophies, certificates of commendation from the Oxford and Cambridge Society and trophies for their school besides cash prize sponsored by the Oxford and Cambridge Society and also bursaries for studies in Sunway College.

Ian Tan Wei Chuen, Sharannya Suresh, Nur Amalina binti Khairul Anuar and consolation prize winners (Cassandra Chung Li Hooi, Phoong Li Yan, Emily Neoh Gaik Kin) with Mrs Margaret Hall, President of the Oxford & Cambridge Society of Malaysia and Elizabeth Lee.

This year sees the participation of 24 schools and 741 students from the Klang Valley and outstation. Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of Sunway Education Group said, “English is the lingua franca of the world and the currency of communication that cuts across different countries and cultures. In today’s world where Facebook, twitter, linked-in and short messaging services can supercede the art of face-to-face communication, the ability to captivate an audience is a powerful asset. Mere ideas alone are not enough. We need to master the language that is understood by all in order to persuade, influence or even entertain. I am indeed proud that the Oxbridge English Language Event can play a part in nurturing this”.

Sunway University hopes to empower the future generation and cultivate a healthy competition in English language through events such as public speaking and essay writing competitions and stresses the importance of language that will help students in his education and career prospective.