Mechatronic Engineering Graduate Lian Wen Xun Won IEM Gold Medal Award 2020

With a near-perfect 3.97 CGPA in her final year of studies, Lian Wen Xun, a degree holder of APU’s Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronic Engineering with Honours, was awarded a Gold Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement, at the Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)’s 61st Annual Dinner and Awards Night in Petaling Jaya, Selangor recently.

This is the 7th time in a row that APU Engineering students received a Gold award from IEM since 2014. Due to the lockdown measures imposed to curb the pandemic in 2020, IEM had postponed its award-giving ceremony to 26 December 2021. Nevertheless, the deferral hasn’t hampered the joy of accomplishment. 

“The Gold Awards are presented to the best final year student of a university which offers accredited Engineering Degree programmes. Our continuous success is a testament to our outstanding quality of teaching & learning at the School of Engineering,” affirmed Head of School of Engineering, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thang Ka Fei, who nominated Wen Xun for this award. 

Lian Wen Xun, 25, who came from SMJK Chan Wa Negeri Sembilan undertook her Bachelor Degree at APU from 2016 to 2020 and then fast-tracked onto her current PhD studies in Radio Frequency Energy Harvesting IC Design at the University of Malaya. The highly ambitious lady is planning to finish her doctorate studies by end of 2023 and aims to be a circuit design engineer in the future.

Reminiscing her university days at APU, Wen Xun said, “I didn’t aim for any award along my undergraduate study path but I always aim to do my best for my academic achievement,” stated Wen Xun.  

Besides studying, her days at APU was actively involved as Technical Assistant (TA) during the first three years of her studies. “During those years, I gained valuable experiences. I am grateful to the team for these opportunities. Besides that, our lecturers always encourage us to come up with innovative ideas and to participate in competitions. These experiences had brightened up my days.” 

When asked if she has any tips to share with her fellow engineering juniors, Wen Xun opined that study-life balance is an important way for students to get de-stressed while attaining educational goals. “It is okay to play hard and rest well, but please make sure that you give your very best when you have to focus on your studies,” she suggested.   

Congratulations to Lian Wen Xun and the School of Engineering for this remarkable achievement and hope that more and more Gold Medalists will be recognised beyond the campus in the coming years!