Oleh: Azman Zakaria
SERDANG, July 25 – An alumna of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Wen Shin Chia made history and her university proud when she was selected to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders Award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace, London recently.
The award is a recognition towards the effort and work done by young people from across the Commonwealth to transform lives in their community and beyond.
Wen, 26, receiving the award for the work she is doing to tackle pollution. She received the award on June 26.
“I am incredibly grateful for being chosen to receive the Queen’s Young Leaders Award. I am feeling extremely happy and words cannot express my feelings. I am thankful for this opportunity to be part of an amazing group of young leaders.
“The award boosts my confidence to work harder and to continue serving the community,” said Wen, who studied at the Faculty of Environmental Studies, UPM.
She added that it has never crossed her mind that she would receive an award from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and especially at the Buckingham Palace.
Also, she said that she faces job uncertainty when she decided to quit her job few years ago to manage Green Yards, a company that focuses on impact.
The company aims to reduce air pollution by providing an alternative platform for local community to recycle their used cooking oil. The company collects the oil and subsequently reprocesses it into eco-soap and candles.
According to her, at times, the thought of giving up crosses her mind, but because of the support from everyone, she determines to continue the effort at Green Yards.
Wen is among 240 young leaders from 53 commonwealth countries who strive to make the world a better place for living.
The Queen’s Young Leaders 2018 is a recognition for the effort of finding solutions to global issues such as climate change, food scarcity, gender-based violence, mental health and access to education. - UPM
