Two Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) students were awarded the Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards (OCLA) in May 2023 for their remarkable success in their fields of study. Their achievements represent MCKL’s continued commitment towards empowering students and providing them with top-notch educational services.
Dareena Kaur Kaulsay, 19 years old, was awarded Top in the World for AS Law and Top in Malaysia for AS English Literature, while Soong Jun Shen, 20 years old, was awarded Top in Malaysia for A Level Computer Science.
Dareena recalled that she was unsure which course to pursue after her IGCSE. She ultimately chose the Cambridge A Level (CAL) programme at MCKL due to its generous combination of subjects offered, especially for the arts stream. One of her favourite subjects was English Literature, and receiving the OCLA award for it would be one she would cherish forever.
“I have always dreamt of achieving such a prestigious award to validate my passion for the subject, and the fact that with the support of friends and lecturers at MCKL is extremely rewarding. Securing two ‘Top in the World’ awards proved to myself that my efforts have not gone in vain and that I could achieve anything I set my mind to!” she said.
She also thanked her lecturers and friends who have helped and supported her throughout her A Level journey. “Each and every one of my lecturers put effort into teaching us by handing out extra notes and providing feedback on every essay submitted. Considering that both English Literature and Law are fully essay-based subjects, I appreciate the time my lecturers set in marking my long essays. Of course, I cannot forget my group of friends in Literature class who have remained by my side since my very first day and have continued to motivate and inspire me every day.”
Meanwhile, Soong Jun Shen explained that he chose to study CAL at MCKL for its amazing track record of academic excellence while emphasising a holistic learning experience that encompasses academic and personal growth.
“What I found attractive was the wide variety of subjects and combinations that catered to my interests and abilities. I was also given a generous scholarship on top of their affordable tuition fees,” he said.
That said, he admitted that he struggled to juggle his time between the heavy workload of the subjects. “I needed to strategically plan my studies, especially before the exams, to fully utilise the limited amount of time to understand many of the core concepts and mechanisms and retain the large volume of knowledge required for the subjects.”
He thanked his lecturers for being supportive throughout his A Level journey as they went above and beyond to ensure he understood the knowledge. “They would set aside time outside of lectures to give me additional feedback and guidance, especially when I was struggling to cope with the lectures,” he recalled.
Jun Shen is proud to receive the award, as it has reaffirmed his passion and ability to pursue the challenging but rewarding field and motivates him to deepen his understanding in the subject through his undergraduate education.
Dareena will continue to study for a degree in Law, while Nanyang Technological University Singapore has accepted Jun Shen to study Mathematical and Computer Sciences.
The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards (OCLA) programme celebrates the success of learners taking Cambridge examinations in over 40 countries worldwide. Cambridge places learners at the centre of their international education programmes and qualifications inspired by the best in educational thinking.
The Cambridge A Level programme offered by MCKL is now open for July 2023 enrolment. For further information, visit www.mckl.edu.my. Follow MCKL on its official social media channels on Facebook and Instagram @MethodistCollegeKL.