Newcastle University

Sarawak, 4th December 2012 – Today, Yung Chern Joshua Joel Lim, former head prefect of Batu Lingtang Secondary School in Kuching took time out from his studies at NUMed (Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia) to receive a special award from Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud, the Chief Minister of Sarawak.

At the ceremony hosted at the Hilton Hotel in Kuching, the student received the Chief Minister’s Special Award 2012 (STPM Science Steam Category). The award recognises his outstanding academic performance as well as his co-curricular achievements.

Yung Chern Joshua Joel Lim said: “I am honoured to win this award and would like to thank my teachers, friends and family for their support. I hope I continue to make them all proud by studying hard at NUMed as I pursue my dream of becoming a doctor.”

It has been a great year for the student, who began studying to become a doctor at NUMed in September after he was awarded a JPA scholarship. On completion of his studies he looks forward to returning to Sarawak where doctors are in low supply. He aspires to provide high quality healthcare that will benefit the community and contribute towards driving up medical standards in the region.
Professor Reg Jordan, Provost and CEO of NUMed, where Joshua currently studies, said: “We are delighted that Joshua had been recognised with this award.  In the interest of future patient care we choose our students very carefully however Joshua still stands out as a model student. He has flourished at NUMed and displays the strong academic skills and social virtues we believe make a first class doctor.”
Among the student’s accomplishments, for which he was recognised with the special award, are the excellent results that he received in his SPTM 2011 examinations. He achieved A grades in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, General Studies and an A- in Pure Maths. In 2010 he was also awarded first place in an innovative state-level competition organised by MOSTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation).

Joshua has always managed to balance his studies with co-curricular activities such as running student organisations and community focused initiatives. He successfully presided over the student board while concurrently running several other active clubs including the Malaysian Red Crescent Society and the Form Six Students' Club. His commitment to the community also led him to organise a group of sixth Form Students to clean up premises such as the Sarawak Disabled Society. The student also has a special talent for music which has seen him successfully achieve Grade 8 (ABRSM) in both piano and flute and he has been involved in a number of school, church and charity music concerts.

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About NUMed

Newcastle University UK, has established an international branch campus in Johor, Malaysia to provide its undergraduate degrees in Medicine (MB BS) and the Biomedical Sciences (BSc), and opportunities for postgraduate study. The programmes of study are equivalent to those of Newcastle’s UK-based provision, and lead to the award of the same degrees. By choosing to study at NUMed Malaysia, students will obtain a reputable UK qualification, from an internationally recognized university, at a cost significantly less than that of studying in the UK. The undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery (MB BS) degrees were launched in 2009. It is planned that BSc degrees in the Biomedical Sciences will be offered from 2013. Many of the programmes offer opportunities for periods of study in the UK.

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