(From left) Jia Xuan, Cheng Hong, Asciutto and Lo all smiles holding their scrolls after the graduation ceremony in Skudai, Johor.
AN initiative to increase public awareness and understanding of an Orang Asli community in Johor earned Jonathan Asciutto the Seow Wan Heong Spirit Award from Southern University College (SUC).
Asciutto, who graduated with a Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Computer Graphic Design, said he did not expect to be granted the award for his contribution to the Orang Seletar community.
“I was the project leader for an initiative to increase public awareness and understanding of Orang Seletar in Johor.
“We wanted to retrieve and record the history, art and culture of the Orang Seletar in a book.
“As such, my teammates interviewed members of the community from several villages across the state to get to know them better,” he said.
He added that the project had brought some positive impact as it shed light on the life and plight of the Orang Seletar.
“We also have non-governmental organisations reaching out to us to assist the community,” said Asciutto.
The 25-year-old said other researchers, including those from Singapore, had also shared information with them.
“The project was initially developed for a competition organised by a charity organisation called My Starfish Foundation.
“We won the Best Project Award for Project in Happiness during the competition, but for me, the important thing is that we got to learn and share about the Orang Asli community.
“I feel there are other students who have also done a lot for the local community.
“However, I am very honoured and grateful to be granted this award,” he said.
Lee Jia Xuan, who received the Huang Fu Seng Award, hoped her efforts as SUC’s psychology and counselling club chairman would help shed light on the importance of mental health.
“I organised various activities including seminars, exhibitions and talks to increase awareness about the issue among students and the public.
“I also want the community, including members of my club and those taking psychology, to be equipped with knowledge involving mental health through these efforts.
“My aim was just to raise awareness; I did not expect to receive this award,” she said.
Jia Xuan said she was able to juggle her responsibilities as club leader with her studies because she had taken a course that was close to her heart.
“I have been interested in psychology since I was in secondary school and that made the course easier as it was something I am passionate about,” said the 22-year-old.
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Chinese Studies graduate Lee Cheng Hong, 24, who received the Student Society Cultural Award, said he was glad to have been able to participate in activities that highlighted Chinese arts and history.
“I did not expect to receive any award whatsoever.
“I took part in the programmes because I was interested.
“I found out about the award one week before the graduation ceremony and was shocked.
“For me, the most important thing is that I was able to explore and share my love for Chinese studies,” said Cheng Hong.
For Bachelor of Arts (Honours) English Language Teaching graduate Lo Zi Ying, who received the Dr Spear Memorial Award, the recognition serves as motivation for her to further her studies.
“Among the activities I had been involved in was assisting Japanese exchange students during their visit here.
“This includes helping them adjust to the college and communicate with others.
“I do not speak Japanese, but I could still assist them in communicating with others here through English or hand gestures,” said the 23-year-old.
The awards, including those named after influential individuals who have contributed to the university, were granted to graduates who have been active in social, cultural and other non-academic programmes while maintaining good results.
The four were also among over 700 who received their scroll during SUC’s 33rd convocation ceremony in Skudai.
