Astro and I

Who am I kidding ? If I DON'T GET STARTED..LIKE SOON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and STOP P-ing...
This is like school all over again...the exam-coming-soon-but-still-unmotivated-to-make-a-studying-move- senario.

Anyway, I googled myself for fun. Wanted to see whether I'm worth mentioning to some people.
Guess what? I am.

Prime Minister Presents Datin Seri Endon Mahmood and ASTRO Scholarship Awards
20-Aug-2007 - Article taken fr www.astroplc.com

Prime Minister, YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi, today presented ASTRO Scholarship Awards to eleven (11) deserving students as part of a higher education scholarship programme.

Currently in its second year, The ASTRO Scholarship Awards programme offers scholarships for undergraduate and graduate courses in local and foreign higher learning institutions. This unique programme allows scholars, who have keen interest in the broadcasting and media industry, to pursue a relevant area of study such as Engineering, Computer Science, Humanities, Mass Communications and Dramatic Arts (acting, stage design and film production), as well as Computer Graphics.

As part of the ASTRO Scholarship Programme, two (2) outstanding students have been selected to be the recipients of the Datin Seri Endon Mahmood Award for performing arts and humanities. This award was established in memory and recognition of the late wife of Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and Founder of Yayasan Budi Penyayang Malaysia, to honour her commitment in revitalizing and strengthening the culture, art and heritage of Malaysia.

This year's Datin Seri Endon Mahmood Award recipients are Mohamed Hazeman Huzir, who will be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English and Literature at the International Islamic University of Malaysia and Stephanie Lee Su Ling who will be attending the Texas University to study Dance & Journalism.

Out of the remaining nine (9) Astro Scholarship Awards recipients, two (2) will pursue their studies in one of our many exceptional local universities while seven (7) will pursue their degrees overseas. Scholars who will be attending a local university of their choice are Khairun Nisa Mohamed Zabidi, who will be studying Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communications and Public Relations) at the Universiti Teknologi MARA and Kausilyaa a/p Rajakumar, who will be studying Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical & Electronics) at the Universiti Teknologi Petronas.
The students heading abroad are Anwari Ashraf Hashim, who will be studying Film & TV Studies at the Middlesex University, UK; Abu Bakar Siddiq, who will be studying Directing & Cinematography at the Full Sail University, USA; Siti Shazlina Mahadi, who will be studying Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh, UK; Shriram Venugopal, who will be studying Electronics & Communications Engineering at the University of Nottingham, UK; Shawn Liam, who will be studying Multimedia & Computer Graphics at the Queensland University of Technology, Australia; Joel Lee, who will be studying Electrical and Electronics Engineering at the University of New South Wales, Australia; and Jason Kang, who will be studying Design for Advertising at the London College of Communication, UK.

With the latest additions, ASTRO now has twenty-five (25) students under the ASTRO Scholarship scheme. All of them will be offered a place at ASTRO to begin their careers upon the completion their courses.

ASTRO's chairman YBhg Dato' Haji Badri Haji Masri said, "The ASTRO Scholarship Programme was established in the effort of nurturing creative talent and develop human capital in the media and broadcasting industry. Offered exclusively to the immediate family members of Astro's subscribers, the scholarship awards are part of Astro's customer loyalty recognition and community development outreach."

The unique Astro Scholarship Award programme prides itself by being different from other corporate scholarship programmes by offering, not only world-class education, but also a promising career with ASTRO, and a specific development programme which includes a one-on-one mentorship with a senior ASTRO executive and internship with ASTRO's businesses and divisions in Malaysia and across the region, as well as ASTRO's international business partners, to combine academic rigour with practical industry exposure.

Bursary value of the scholarships ranges from RM8,000 per year for scholars pursuing a degree course in Malaysia to RM150,000 per year for scholars studying overseas. This will cover the students' tuition, living expenses, air travel where warranted, insurance, and internship expenses. By the fifth year, ASTRO hopes to sponsor 60 or more of Malaysia's brightest and talented students to pursue undergraduate and post graduate courses recognized by the Public Service Department (PSD), both locally and abroad.

The ASTRO Scholarship Award had attracted hundreds of applicants from across the country, from fresh SPM school leavers to those currently in the industry's workforce. Selection depends on an all-round combination of academic excellence, leadership in extra-curricular and community outreach activities, and involvement in the local performing arts. Short-listed candidates were evaluated based on a rigorous process involving essays, character and behavioral screen tests, and presentation of creative works, with the final selection done by a luminous panel which included representatives from local and foreign academic institution.
The presentation ceremony was in commemoration with Yayasan Budi Penyayang Founders' Day and Official Opening of Wisma Penyayang at Seri Kembangan, as part of the continuous collaboration between the foundation and the ASTRO Group's corporate social responsibility efforts.

- end -

ABOUT ASTRO
ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc is the region's leading cross-media operator with Direct-To-Home satellite multi-channel television services in Malaysia and Brunei and soon, in Indonesia. It is the country's leader in commercial radio, and publishes Malaysia's most widely circulated magazine, the Astro Guide. The ASTRO Entertainment Network produces over 20 television channels of original and aggregated content of various genres in multiple languages. Celestial Pictures owns the world's largest Chinese Film library and its digitally remastered films are released internationally through theatrical, video, television and new media distribution, and the Celestial Movies channels. The strength of these complementary brands has extended into interactive and multi-media services, including provision of content for mobile devices. AAAN operates out of the All Asia Broadcast Centre, a fully-integrated digital broadcast and production complex in Kuala Lumpur

My Google search also showed that I'm mentioned on NST and The Star, our local daily newspapers. hmm...kinda depressing yet happy-fying in a way. I mean, I'm not mentioned in any weirdo's blog, at least not my full name...but on the other hand...

Sigh, having a fever and a real sore throat now...my bedtime headache is coming, my room is yet to be cleaned, my stuff is still in a mess, and I haven't gotten my luggage bag yet. Well, at least I sorted out my flight tickets...

Why am I so depressed bout leaving ? It's not like I've never left home before.
Should I come back for holidays ?????????