Group photo of the two winners with TAR UC’s top management and Faculty of Accountancy, Finance and Business (‘FAFB’) lecturers.
(From left): Ms Yeo Liu Choo, Senior Lecturer from FAFB’s Department of Accountancy, Mr Michael Yeo Thiam Swee, Principal Lecturer from FAFB’s Department of Professional Accountancy, Mr Chong Geok Chuang, Principal Lecturer from FAFB’s Department of Accountancy, Chew Chen Wah, Ashley Lim Siew Fern, Mr Lai Tak Kong, Associate Dean of FAFB’s Department of Accountancy, Dato’ Sri Liow Tiong Lai, Chairman of the Board of Governors, TAR UC, Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UC, Assoc Prof Wong Hwa Kiong, Dean of FAFB, Ms Chin Hooi Khoon, Associate Dean of FAFB’s Department of Professional Accountancy.
It was double the celebration for classmates and close friends Ashley Lim Siew Fern and Chew Chen Wah (both Bachelor of Commerce (Hons) students) when they were crowned Champion and 2nd Runner-up respectively during the grand finals of Deloitte Tax Challenge (‘DTC’) 2019, which was held on 14 November 2019. For Ashley, it was double the happiness when she was also named Best Writer and Best Presenter. She will be representing Malaysia in the Deloitte Southeast Asia Tax Challenge 2020 which will be held in Kuala Lumpur in February, 2020.
“Winning the Best Speaker and Best Writer definitely came as a surprise and it exceeded my expectations,” she shared. “My experience in this competition has also boosted my self-confidence. I was a completely different person before the competition, and I feel more confident now after going through all the challenges and performing under pressure. For me, that was the key to maintaining composure.”
Chen Wah also celebrated his joy of winning and shared that he joined the annual DTC to broaden his horizons and to enhance his resume after hearing about it during class.
“Being able to achieve what I have means a lot to me,” said Chen Wah. “Through this experience I was able to meet many amazing people – the organisers, the partners in Deloitte Malaysia and also my fellow participants. It has also made me want to learn continuously and always strive for self-improvement.”
Both winners took the opportunity to express their heartfelt thanks and appreciation towards their tutors and lecturers who made time to help them during their preparations.
“Our tax lecturers played a key role in this win,” shared Chen Wah. “They dedicated an immeasurable amount of time to help us during the weeks leading up to the Grand Finals. Not only did they enhance our knowledge, their encouragement and moral support provided the psychological push needed to overcome any mental roadblocks.”
When asked how she is preparing for the upcoming regional competition, Ashley shared that she is currently revising her past answers and identifying ways to improve on them as well as reading up on advanced taxation topics to reinforce her knowledge.
TAR UC has been participating in DTC for 12 years since 2008. In total, TAR UC students emerged as the Champion for the team/individual category at national level for 10 times and as the Champion for the team category at DTC South East Asia (‘SEA’) level in 2016. TAR UC students have also won top placings (1st and 2nd Runner-up positions) at national level 13 times and the 1st Runner-up at DTC SEA level 3 times. In addition, TAR UC has also won numerous merit prizes and awards/non-cash prizes and a total of 14 students have won the ACCA Best Presenters award.
