The International New York Times (INYT) recently announced the winners of the 2015 International New York Times Writing Competition.  Commendably, third-year SMU business undergraduate, Melissa Cheok, came in as runner-up in the University category.  Her article titled ‘Can We Achieve Quality Education For All?’ had stood out from among hundreds of outstanding entries from 14 countries across Asia, the highest since the competition began in 2009.

The INYT said that the topic ‘Global Education’ had attracted a wide range of thoughtful, creative and refreshing ideas from students passionate about their education and conscious of the critical role that learning plays in their lives and the lives of others.

Melissa was at INYT's Singapore office on 18 March to receive her award.  "I feel very humbled to have had my entry reviewed and deemed worthy for an award by the INYT panel, especially given the number of submissions they received this year," she said.

When asked what inspired her to discuss her chosen topic, she said, “I felt that I could not begin to write about the topic of global education if I was not addressing those not fortunate enough to go to school and receive one.  Education and poverty alleviation are two issues that I hold dear, thus I wanted to write a piece that expressed my thoughts on them and how much I truly believe in the power of education to uplift and transform societies.”

On her passion for writing, Melissa shared, “I hope to be a journalist one day and to me nothing is more meaningful than writing about something important and encouraging people to see why they should care.  Therefore, I am truly grateful to the INYT for giving me the chance to do so and for giving me this award.”

INYT has consolidated all 30 shortlisted articles into a booklet.  You can read the online version here; Melissa’s winning essay is on page 16 of the booklet.

[Featured photo: Melissa (2^nd from left) at the International New York Times prize-giving ceremony in Singapore on 18 March 2016.  Also in the photo are: (L-R) Ms Fern Long (INYT Circulation Manager, Asia Pacific), Angela Ferguson (first prize winner, University category) and Ms Frances Kor (INYT Circulation Director, Asia Pacific).]