Medical student wins British Council award

NST: MEDICAL student Stephanie Siew Jean Tiew's passion and dedication in saving the lives of babies has won her the International Student of the Year 2008 award, and a cash prize of STG2,000 (RM12,500).
The fourth year student of University of Manchester was among more than 1,500 students representing 127 nationalities in the annual competition by the British Council.
The competition aims to shine the spotlight on international students and their unique contributions to life in the UK.
Siew, who established the "Save a Baby's Life" Society with fellow students, goes to local communities to teach parents and carers of babies about basic life support skills. She also raises funds for the society.
Present to hand over the prize to Siew at the award ceremony last Wednesday was Datuk Jimmy Choo.
Siew was one of 12 finalists to vie for the award and the entry letter that she submitted, detailing her achievements that helped make her time in the UK so rewarding, moved the judges.
In her letter, Siew said: "Since coming to the UK, I feel the sky is the limit and I have dared to dream. This is a place full of opportunities and endless possibilities. The supportive culture in campus, be it from faculty staff or peers, has knitted an extraordinary student life for me. I am a simple country girl who has blossomed into a confident and capable woman."
Despite her busy schedule, Siew finds time to counsel local teenagers interested in a career in healthcare and writes for the medical school newsletter, Mediscope, while also representing the university in debating tournaments.
On her award, she said: "I am thrilled and delighted to have been chosen as an ambassador for my university and country."
Siew has also won the prestigious Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Student Prize and has been invited to present one of her papers at an international conference.
Martin Davidson, chief executive of the British Council, said: "The British Council knows that international students make a huge contribution and commitment to life in the UK.
"This competition provides a fantastic opportunity for them to earn some well-deserved recognition for their achievements, a great chance for them to show the world what they've achieved while in the UK."