Rinwood Awards celebrate brightest young minds at Curtin Malaysia

Miri, Sarawak – 1 November 2024 – In a display of community investment and academic excellence, Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation Sdn. Bhd. honoured ten of Curtin University Malaysia’s brightest young talents through its esteemed Rinwood Awards.

This significant initiative, part of Rinwood’s Community Outreach Programme, in collaboration with Curtin Malaysia, awarded scholarships totalling RM66,000 to students who had excelled in the SPM examination prior to joining Curtin Malaysia, empowering their higher education dreams.

Leading the awards ceremony, RM10,000 scholarships were presented to top achievers Samuel Loh, Lee Shin Cheng, Louisa Lau, and Clement Kong, with additional recipients Lawrence Kong, Janice Lau, and Amos Benjamin Strout receiving RM7,000 each. Scholarships of RM5,000 were also awarded to Faradina Leareen Strout, Raynold Tiong, and Erica Kong, reflecting Rinwood’s commitment to nurturing potential and supporting academic success.

Presenting the awards, Hii Wei Wen, Chairman of the Rinwood Education Unit, congratulated the scholarship recipients and expressed Rinwood’s pride in contributing to the growth and development of Sarawak’s youth. “Supporting young talent is essential to shaping a brighter tomorrow. We are dedicated to creating opportunities for promising students across Sarawak, especially those from the B40 group,” he stated.

Hii also highlighted the continued impact of the Rinwood Academic Merit Scholarship, which opens doors for students from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education.

Representing Curtin Malaysia, Debora Caroline, Senior Director of Future Students and External Engagement, delivered a message on behalf of Professor Vincent Lee, Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor. “We are honoured to partner with Rinwood Pelita Plantation to support deserving students,” she said. “These awards are more than recognition of academic achievement; they are a beacon of opportunity for students from lower-income families to reshape their futures and realise dreams that might otherwise remain out of reach.”

Debora also noted that the Rinwood Awards embody Curtin Malaysia’s mission to make education accessible and transformative. “These awards, available to Sarawakian students across various levels of study, from pre-university foundation programs to postgraduate degrees, uphold values that resonate deeply with our mission and commitment to the state’s educational and social development,” she added.

Also in attendance were Rinwood Education Unit Secretary Lawrence Kong; and Rinwood Awards Coordinator Charles Tan, from Inquota Education Services (IES).

Among the scholarship recipients were siblings Amos Benjamin and Faradina Leareen Strout, who expressed their immense gratitude. Amos shared, “It is truly heartwarming to receive this opportunity alongside my sister. There is so much young talent that often goes unrecognised, so this support from Rinwood means a lot to us.”

Fellow recipient Samuel Loh expressed his hope to inspire friends in Bintulu to consider Curtin Malaysia, particularly with scholarships available for outstanding students.

In line with its ongoing commitment to community empowerment, Rinwood Pelita (Mukah) Plantation Sdn. Bhd. announced that applications for the next round of scholarships are now open, with a deadline of 30 June 2025. Hii encouraged all eligible SPM, STPM, and diploma holders with strong academic records to apply. “This initiative is about more than financial assistance; it is about giving our youth the resources they need to build a better future for themselves and their communities,” he concluded.

For more information on Curtin Malaysia, visit curtin.edu.my or look for Curtin Malaysia on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, or TikTok.

Rinwood Education Unit leaders Hii Wei Wen and Lawrence Kong with Curtin Malaysia’s Debora Caroline, and this year’s Rinwood Award recipients

Hii Wei Wen celebrates with scholarship recipients Amos Benjamin (right) and Faradina Leareen Strout

Samuel Loh, one of the top awardees from Bintulu

Clement Kong, recipient of the RM10,000 scholarship