By Peter Boon
Hii (seventh right, third row) and Teo (eighth right) with (sixth to fourth right) Chee, Swee Nguong, Gregory, Dr Lau (second right,), Yong (third left, second row) and others pose with award recipients.
SIBU: Segi University and Colleges group managing director Tan Sri Clement Hii will be awarding five scholarships to teachers of SMK Sacred Heart to enable their professional enhancement and upskilling.
The teachers can pursue their degree, masters or PhDs programmes in collaboration with Segi University either by distance or online learning modes.
This was announced during the school’s annual speech day here yesterday.
The 15th speech day was officiated at by Clement.
This year he contributed RM27,430 in cash and five laptops for deserving students.
Clement’s contribution over the 15-year span has now reached RM311,640 exclusive of 55 laptops and two Myvi cars.
Also present at the event were Sacred Heart School (SHS) board of management vice chairman I Lau Swee Nguong, secretary Dr Gregory Hii Sui Cheng, vice secretary Yong King Sung who is also Sacred Heart School Old Students Association (Shosa) president, board members Robert Lau Hui Yew who is also Sibu Rural District Council (SRDC) deputy chairman, Father Paul Chee who represented SHS board of management chairman Bishop of Sibu, Joseph Hii; Sibu Sacred Heart Secondary School Alumni Association of Kuching president Moses Wong, KTA (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd partner/CEO Roland Ling, National chair of New Zealand Malaysia Business Council John Wong Siong Sah and Parent-Teacher-Association chairman Dr Lau Ngi Chuong.
In his remarks, Clement recalled many people telling him that life was not fair.
“Let me tell you that it would be very naive for you to think that life is supposed to be very fair. Out there, we play by different rules. There are many games that you need to accept and accommodate…it is about accepting that life is not going to be fair and that you are going to be flexible and know how to play the games with different types of rules.
“Once you are out there – you are pursuing your career – some may choose to go into your own business and ultimately, you will end up chasing wealth; trying to be financially stable and capable. I would say that the chase or race is worth it if you know how to enjoy the journey itself,” he said.
“If material wealth is the only goal that you wish to achieve, perhaps, at the end of the day, after all have been said and done – you probably are not going to be a very fulfilled person,” he added.
Clement also highlighted the need to do things differently with the dawn of the digital and globalised era.
On the person that one should be, he dwelled on life-long learning to mould one into a better and smarter person and more successful in whatever one does.
SMK Sacred Heart principal David Teo also spoke at the function.