Zohrab Chong Aik Shuen
Embracing the philosophy that "work is worship and service is prayer," I find significance in the idea that work is a blessing, often accompanied by challenges and sacrifices. This encourages a life of service and contributing to the community for mutual betterment, going beyond personal success to mindful consideration of others. Sunway's 3 Ts - time, talent, and treasure - align with this concept, emphasising the importance of contributing to community improvement.
My journey of community service commenced in Alor Setar before my Sunway days, marked by active participation in charitable acts. In college and university, I focused on giving back to students through onboarding and tutorship. Post-graduation, my commitment extended to roles such as a children's class teacher, youth facilitator, self-improvement studies facilitator, and choir master. Notably, I served in various capacities in Sri Damansara, including a four-year term as the Residents Association President during the challenging pandemic period. We initiated donation drives, workshops, and township sporting events, fostering unity among the residents. We partnered with corporate sectors and individuals for this. Along the way, I too facilitated free workshops on PowerPoint skills to help upskill those in need too.
I played a key role in organising fun sporting events in our township, designed to bring people from diverse backgrounds together. These events included badminton, futsal, and basketball. One unique initiative was the "Fun for All" badminton event, where pairings were randomly done on the day of the tournament. This inclusive approach allowed participants of any race and gender to team up, organised based on age groups. Concurrently, I am a volunteer in several mentorship programmes for undergraduates, including Sunway Mentoring serving as a mentor for future graduates.
Reflecting on my time in Sunway, a proud moment was being part of the inaugural Sunway Student Council in 1990, where I served as the first Sports Secretary. I organised the Inter-Programme Sports Carnival and the Sunway College Invitational Soccer Tournament, highlighting the unifying impact of sports. Expanding my involvement, I secured a grant from Monash's then Pro Vice Chancellor, officially registering the Sunway Club at Monash's Clayton campus. As the first President, my focus was on supporting transfer students and fostering a strong social network. I extended my commitment to community service at Monash, contributing to International Student Services and the Student Union, organising events like the Multi-Cultural Evening. These experiences helped refine my leadership skills and solidified my dedication to a balanced life of service and leadership.
Allow me to give thanks and a note of gratitude to Tan Sri Sir Jeffrey Cheah as his vision and noble intention of enabling as many to get the best affordable education meant that I reaped the benefits. His vision allowed me to pursue a double degree in the late '80s, shaping my life and my sister’s by experiencing education abroad. Today, Tan Sri continues to impact my family, with my son employed by a multinational company upon completing his Sunway degree and my daughter in her first year of undergraduate studies. In appreciation, I serve as a mentor to the alumni community in Sunway, sharing experiences, and contributing my time to the wider community too.
Through all these experiences, I reiterate that giving back is crucial, and it goes beyond just material contributions; it involves investing time, skills, effort, and compassion. Once again, the concept of Sunway's 3 Ts resonates here - time, talent, and treasure. If we contribute to the improvement of others and our community, the positive impact ripples, benefitting everyone. This cycle of enrichment and empowerment doesn't just stop with us; it extends to future generations, creating a continuous circle of life - one that fosters success and a better life for all.
Zohrab Chong Aik Shuen
Sunway-Monash Twinning Programme
(1990 - 1994)
