Sabahan Student Amongst Top 10 in the Running to Win Prize Worth RM450k

While most people her age spend their time on social media or hanging out with friends, Alesyah Asa, a construction technology student from Keningau Vocational College, Sabah is busy competing for an eminent student award, the Global Student Prize sponsored by American-based Chegg.org with a sizeable prize of $100,000 or approximately RM450k.

She was initially amongst the 50 who were shortlisted for the award among 7,000 nominations from 150 countries that were received and has now advanced to being amongst the top 10 finalists chosen.

The award is given out to students who have made a huge impact on learning, their peers, and the society and Alesyah is the only Malaysian currently to be in the running to win. She follows in the footsteps of the teachers from her school, who made their mark at the GoAbroad Innovation Awards –– that celebrates institutions, organisations, and individuals moving the field forward –– as the first ever Malaysian entry to win a category.

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Talk about girl power! As a woman living in a rural, poorer area of Malaysia studying in a vocational field, Alesyah has risen above various stigmas, stereotypes, and economic hurdles to promote innovation, STEM education and inclusivity in her school and the wider community.

Her achievements are numerous and extensive, with a mission of inspiring women to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields. She said, “My mission is to change the mindset of women. In order to do that, I need to become a role model.”

She has led a number of school initiatives in STEM-related activities, particularly focusing on vocational students and special needs learners.

She has proven herself by leading a science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) project known as the ‘Eureka Hub’ which trained not only peers but even teachers on robotics, drones, 3D printing, and entrepreneurship to help them prepare for a rapidly evolving, tech-led world. The project’s success was recognised by the US-based Awesome Foundation, becoming the first recipient of a $1000 STEAM Grant.

This had led to an increase of interest in emerging technologies and entrepreneurship amongst the women and young people in her community.

In 2019, she initiated an international exchange programme between her school and several schools in South Korea which is continued to this day. It served to prompt the transfer of technology and knowledge in areas such as robotics and drone technology, as well as the development of new strategies in implementing vocational education.

Alesyah also led an all-female school team to help tackle misinformation about COVID-19 that was awarded with the Community Innovation Winner award at the Global Media and Information Literacy Youth Hackathon, co-organised by UNESCO and the South Korea.

Proving that she not only has the brains but is also athletic, Sabah’s Ministry of Youth and Sports recently awarded the talented youth with RM5,000 for the Amazing Youth Race program in conjunction with Independence Day.

Through her projects, Alesyah has opened up opportunities for students including special needs learners in areas that they previously have limited access to.

The selfless student has said that she would use the prize money to invest in the Eureka Hub, improve school infrastructure, and further develop her project on tackling COVID-19 misinformation if she were to win.

Wow, what a remarkable girl! We imagine that her resume is going to take up quite a few pages. Hopefully this will motivate other Malaysian students to up their game!

Image source: facebook.com/JabatanPeneranganMalaysia