<b>Scholarships:</b> Cream of the crop

SACRIFICE. That is what it takes to be the cream of the crop, says Azali Azlan who set a national record of 20 A1s and 1 A2 in the 2007 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. He believes by studying diligently, you can gain knowledge. Azali continuously challenged himself to study hard for the SPM examination.

"Many people have criticised me for taking too many subjects but I took them for my own satisfaction. I have no intention to beat the record set by Nur Amalina Che Bakri, who scored 17 A1s in 2004.

"I took so many subjects because I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it," says Azali.

Azali was speaking at the Bank Negara Malaysia Special Scholarship Award Ceremony for Top Achievers of the 2007 SPM Examination held in Bank Negara recently.

For his feat, Azali received a scholarship to further his studies in biotechnology. He hopes to do research in genetics. He also plans to further his studies in religion later.

Kelvin Wong Xiawei, another Bank Negara Malaysia scholar, aspires to be a human rights lawyer.

Wong, who scored 14 A1s, has written a book about friendship, love as well as his opinions on certain subjects in Chinese. The book, however, is only available in Sibu, Sarawak.

"About 1,000 copies were published and were sold out. A second edition has been published."

Ahmad Azim Pauzi, another top achiever who scored 11 1As, wants to join the field of mechatronic engineering, which is a combination of mechanical and electronic engineering.

"I hope to pursue a career in either mechanical or electronic engineering. I am inspired by my brothers, who are also in the engineering field," he says.

The other Bank Negara Malaysia scholars are Norlaila Najwa Hasbullah (16 1As and 3 2As), Ho Gen Nen (15 1As), Lim Wei Zhen (14 1As), Herda Farhana Sukhirman (13 1As), Ahmad Naufal Mazlan (13 1As), Nur Atiqah Sa'hari (13 1As) and Nurizzati Ahmad (12 1As).

Scholarships: Cream of the crop